Issue - meetings

Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”) requires a Licensing Authority to prepare and publish a statement of its licensing policy every five years.  Such a policy must be published before the Authority carries out any function in respect of individual applications made under the terms of the 2003 Act.  During the five year period the policy must be kept under review and the Licensing Authority may make any revisions to it as it considers appropriate.  The Council last reviewed it’s policy in 2010.

This report identifies the findings of the consultation exercise carried out on the proposed revision of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the introduction of a Code of Best Practice for Licensed Premises.

The Council considered a report which identified the findings of the consultation exercise carried out on the proposed revision of the Council’s Statement of Licensing policy and the introduction of a Code of Best Practice for Licensed Premises.

On a motion from Councillor David Dixon, seconded by Councillor Manda Rigby, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To adopt the Policy and Code of Best Practice provided in Annex B to the report, having had regard to the responses received following the consultation exercise (set out in Annex A to the report); and

2.  To recommend the continuation of the existing Cumulative Impact Area in Bath city centre.

[Note: The above resolution was passed with all Councillors voting in favour, except for Councillor Nicholas Coombes who voted against.]

In accordance with statutory guidance the Policy must be reviewed at least every 5 years.  The Council is currently consulting on its revised policy statement and this report presents the proposed revised policy together with a new accompanying code of best practice.  The formal consultation is running between 30th April and 30 July 2014.

The Team Manager for Health & Environment (Licensing and Environmental Protection) gave a brief presentation to the Panel relating to this item. A copy of the presentation is available online and on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

The Statement sets out how the Council delivers the licensing function and promotes the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder; prevention of harm to children; prevention of public nuisance and promotion of public safety;

It was last reviewed in 2010 and must be reviewed at least every 5 years.

Impact of public health on reducing alcohol related harm

Recognition that Director of Public Health is now a Responsible Authority

Link to Alcohol Harm Reduction Policy and recognition of how excessive alcohol consumption can lead to poor health and increase burden on local health services

Actively encourage voluntary initiatives to reduce alcohol harm e.g. removal of cheap, super strength beers, ciders and lagers

Actively encourage membership of voluntary groups such as PubWatch/Nightwatch

Recognition of Early Morning Restriction Orders (need to demonstrate serious alcohol related crime in a specific area which is not attributable to a single premises)

Opportunity to celebrate what has already been achieved

Purple Flag accreditation which recognises safety, quality and variety of Bath’s night time economy

Role in promoting the local economy

Supporting businesses e.g. pre-application advice

Contributing towards a successful local economy

Creating a cultural diversity to support local communities and reduce anti-social behaviour

Code of practice for licensed premises

Devised a code of best practice so that premises can understand our expectations of good practice

Opportunity to demonstrate a positive approach to the delivery of the licensing function

Crimes linked to NTE

NTE related crime and disorder definition - Offences of violent crime and criminal damage occurring between the hours of 20:00 and 04:00 taking place outside of the home not otherwise defined as domestic violence or hate crime.

Crimes linked to the NTE in B&NES (Financial quarters - Q4 07/08 – Q3 12/13): 11,490 crimes (54% Violence against the person, 46% Criminal damage). There has been a 26% reduction in crime across this 5 year period.

Councillor Lisa Brett commented that she was a little disappointed that some recommendations relating to minimum pricing and buy one get one free offers from the Alcohol Harm Scrutiny Inquiry Day (SID) had not been included in the Statement. She added that the new measures of Closure Orders were not mentioned either. She said that she would also like to see the way in which problems / incidents can be reported to be improved.

The Team Manager for Health & Environment (Licensing and Environmental Protection) replied that a self-serve form was now in place on the Council’s website to report incidents, officer phone numbers have been published and an article will be within the Autumn issue of Council Connect to highlight this piece of work. She added that she welcomed any other suggestions as to how to make the public more aware.

She said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22