Meeting documents

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th December 2016, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read, and having been approved were signed by the Chairman as a correct record of the proceedings.

The minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee meetings held on 9^th January 2017, 16^th January 2017, 21^st February 2017, 6^th March 2017 and 11^th April 2017 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Clare Aparicio Paul, Jason Baker, Neil Bloomfield, Tony Lock and Martin Wale.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

a)    Questions/comments from members of the public

This is a chance for members of the public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils to participate in the meeting by asking questions, making comments and raising matters of concern.

No questions of comments were raised by members of the public.

The Licensing Manager reminded members that the Draft Street Trading Policy had been subject to a Scrutiny Task and Finish Review.  He explained that the group had decided to undertake a 9 week consultation on the new policy to ensure a wide range of responses were received.  The consultation outlining the proposed changes was sent to current street traders, carnival committee representatives and all town and parish clerks.  He reported that a total of 15 responses from a wide variety of organisations were received.  Following the consultation, there were two main areas which Scrutiny members felt needed further work these were carnivals and mobile traders.

The Licensing Manager advised that Scrutiny members were keen to support carnivals but felt that such a large scale event should not be totally exempt.  It was suggested that carnivals should be able to apply for an exemption from street trading on the proviso that they submitted an application and pay a fee in the region of £50.00.  The policy would be amended to reflect this.

Members noted that the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group were of the opinion that any sort of control by the licensing department of mobile street traders vendors which are not static or part of an event was unnecessary and the policy should be amended to make it clear that these types of traders are to be considered exempt from street trading.

During discussion, members welcomed the revised Street Trading Policy and felt that a fair process in terms of consultation had been carried out and that the Licensing Service had listened to those most likely to be affected.

Members unanimously agreed the recommendations of the report.

In the absence of the Licensing Enforcement Officer, the Licensing Manager summarised the agenda report, which updated members on the work of the Licensing Enforcement Team and the various issues that they were currently involved with including Taxis & Private Hire Vehicles, Street Trading and Scrap Metal Dealers.

As the Council had entered a new municipal year, the Committee was asked to review the appointment of Chairmen for Licensing Sub Committees.

A member referred to page 96 of the Council’s Constitution and queried whether only 3 members could be appointed.  The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that more than 3 members could be appointed and an amendment to the Councils constitution would be made.

It was agreed to appoint the following members as Licensing Sub Committee Chairmen: Councillors David Recardo, Crispin Raikes, Linda Vijeh, David Norris and Martin Wale.

Members felt that it would be appropriate to receive a days’ refresher licensing training bearing in mind the changing licensing legislations.

The Licensing Manger confirmed that the training would need to be delivered by an external trainer.  He informed members that he had some very good online training videos explaining more about the Licensing Act that he could forward to members.

It was agreed to forward a request for a Licensing Training Day to the Member and Corporate Support Manager.

Members agreed to reduce the frequency of meetings of the Licensing Committee to quarterly as a number of meetings had been cancelled in the past.  It was agreed that meetings would be held on the following dates:

10^th October 2017

12^th December 2017

13^th March 2018

12^th June 2018

Members noted that the meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday 8^th August 2017 at 10.00am would be cancelled.  The next meeting of the Licensing Committee would be held on Tuesday 10^th October 2017.