Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Higgon and M E Thacker MBE JP.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

None.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the attached Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee held on 15 September 2023.

RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Environmental Health Team Manager (Licensing)

The Environmental Health Team Manager (Licensing) presented a report proposing approval of the revised draft Statement of Principles under the Licensing Act 2003 so it could be released for public consultation. The report also proposed that the Joint Assistant Director of Environmental Health conduct a six-week public consultation in line with statutory requirements and report the findings back to the Committee for consideration at a later date.

Members were informed that the updated draft Policy aimed to be consistent with legislation and statutory guidance, increase the clarity of the Policy, improve the standards of premises in the District through the recommendation of more robust management practices, and provide clarity on delegations.

The Environmental Health Team Manager (Licensing) explained that Licensing officers had carried out research on a number of areas: number of licensed premises, complaints about licensed premises, alcohol related crime, alcohol related health issues, alcohol consumption in the UK, and violence against women and girls. Licensing officers concluded from the research that alcohol related health issues, alcohol related crime and violence against women and girls were all prevalent in the North East Derbyshire District, so the Policy was modified with the aim of reducing these issues.

The Chair enquired if the Council carried out test purchases at Licensed premises. The Environmental Health Team Manager (Licensing) stated that the Council did not have the authority to carry this out, and authority was with the Police and Trading Standards at Derbyshire County Council. The Environmental Health Team Manager (Licensing) confirmed that there had been a reduction in test purchasing as a result of the pandemic and would consult with Trading Standards to see what the current position was.

Members asked if the results of the public consultation would be reported back to the Committee.  The Environmental Health Team Manager (Licensing) confirmed that the next time the policy was considered by the Committee, it would include details of public responses.

Members discussed microbreweries in the context of the Policy. The Environmental Health Team Manager (Licensing) explained that the Policy acted as a guide for people submitting premises applications, and the expectation on applicants to promote the licensing objectives was one that applied to all premises. However, as each premises was different, it was for applicants to assess and determine their own management practices in line with the Policy and every application must be considered on its own merit.

RESOLVED –

(1)            The Committee approved the revised draft Statement of Principles under the Licensing Act 2003 for public consultation.

(2)            The Committee approved requiring the Joint Assistant Director of Environmental Health to conduct a six-week public consultation in line with statutory requirements and report the findings back to the Committee for consideration at a later date.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the Committee is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

None.