Meeting documents

Present:

Councillor Initials only Mitchell (in the Chair)

Councillors

In Attendance:

Mr L Beattie, Miss V Cartmell, Mrs P Higson and Mr M Marshall, Business Services

Also Present:

Sgt Giffen, Lancashire Constabulary

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd July 2008, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Further to the meeting of the Council on the 24th September 2008, the Committee considered the constitution of a Public Protection Sub-Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09.

Resolved:

1. To agree to the constitution of a politically balanced Public Protection Sub-Committee with a membership of 8 (5 Conservative, 2 Labour and 1 Liberal Democrat)

2. To note that the membership will be Councillors Brown, Collins, Mrs Delves, Mrs Greenhalgh, Haskett, Hardy, Mrs Holt and Mitchell

3. That the functions assigned to the Public Protection Sub-Committee continue to be those as set out in Part 3 of the Council's Constitution.

4. To agree that Councillor Mitchell be appointed the Chairman of the Sub-Committee and that Councillor Haskett be appointed the Vice-Chairman for the remainder of Municipal Year 2008/09.

The Committee considered a request from Lancashire Constabulary to consult on an amendment to the Statement of Licensing Policy, which would have the effect of creating a special policy on cumulative impact in respect of off-licences within the wards of Bloomfield, Claremont, Talbot and Victoria.

Sgt Giffen (Lancashire Constabulary) was in attendance and provided statistics related to the number of off-licences per capita within these wards and the linkages between certain offences and alcohol within these wards. He further explained the Constabulary's contention that large number of premises licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises led to the undermining of the licensing objective of prevention of crime and disorder.

Mr Marshall from the Council's Quality Standards Division outlined the high rates of failed test purchases within these 4 wards and stated his opinion that this was possibly linked to the high number of premises within these four wards.

It was noted that the effect of a special policy on cumulative impact was to create a rebuttable presumption that applications of a certain type would be refused. The policy however would not create an absolute prohibition.

Resolved:

To authorise officers to consult on the proposed amendments to the Statement of Licensing policy.

The Committee received a presentation on the work of the Council's Licensing Enforcement officers from Mr M Marshall from the Council's Quality Standards Division.

Mr Marshall provided the Committee with information regarding the number of enforcement visits to hotels, pubs and takeaways, stating the levels of compliance of the various sectors of premises.

The Committee also received for information a number of case studies of premises, highlighting the range of problems and what enforcement action had been taken. The presentation also included multi-agency action taken against under-18's using false identification to enter licensed premises and action regarding the use of fake or cloned Security Industry Authority licences by staff working in licensed premises.

Resolved:

That the update on enforcement issues be noted.

The Committee considered the quarterly update for the period May to August 2008, the report updated the Committee on licences applied for, dealt with and appealed.

In this period, the Licensing Section had dealt with a total of 21 applications for new premises licences, 18 variation applications, 79 transfers of premises licences, 109 variation applications, 109 variations of designated premises supervisors and 82 temporary event notices as well as 113 personal licence applications and 12 applications to review premises licences. The Council had scheduled a total of 22 hearings of which 8 had been cancelled due to mediation.

Whilst no appeals had been pending when the report had been written , it was noted that two appeals had recently been submitted.

Resolved:

To note the update on licences considered, dealt with and appealed.

The meeting ended at 11.20 a.m.

Any queries regarding these Minutes, please contact:
Liz Wood, Democratic Services Assistant
Tel: (01253) 477141, or alternatively, E-mail: liz.wood@blackpool.gov.uk

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