Meeting documents

Present:

Councillor Hardy (in the Chair)

Councillors

In Attendance:

Mrs S Davies, Principal Solicitor- Licensing Mr L Beattie, Executive and Regulatory Manager Mr J Donnellon, Assistant Chief Executive Built Environment Mr M Marshall, Licensing/Health and Safety Manager Dr A Rajpura, Assistant Chief Executive- Public Health

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 27th March 2013, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee considered the formation of a Public Protection Sub-Committee for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

Resolved:

1. To agree to the constitution of a politically balanced Public Protection Sub-Committee with a membership of 7 (5 Labour and 2 Conservative).

2. To note the membership of the Public Protection Sub-Committee as Councillors Hardy, Hutton, Matthews, Mrs Taylor, Wright, Cox and Mrs Delves.

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 Hardy be appointed Chairman of the Public Protection Sub-Committee and Councillor Hutton Vice-Chairman.

The Committee considered a proposal to consider the advertising of a proposal to  introduce an Early Morning Restriction Order.

The Committee received a presentation from Mr Donnellon (Assistant Chief Executive Built Environment), Chief Inspector Mills (Lancashire Constabulary), and Mr D Rigby (North West Ambulance Service) This presentation highlighted their reasons for supporting the advertising of an proposal to introduce an Early Morning Restriction Order most notably the cost and impact of alcohol related crime and disorder within the area.

The Committee also received some brief comments from Dr A Rajpura (Assistant Chief Executive Public Health), Mrs Davies (Principal Solicitor Licensing) reminded the Committee that as health was not a licensing objective comments related to health exclusively should be disregarded.

The Committee then received a presentation from trade representatives including Mr C Southall (Chairman of Blackpool Pubwatch), Mr D Daly (Unite Union), Mr P Bowden (Club Sanuk) and Mr B Newby (In the Pink Leisure) outlining their concerns regarding the economic impact of the Order and that it would not be necessary and proportionate. Mr Southall highlighted alternative proposals to address crime and disorder including greater use of Pubwatch bans and Drink Banning Orders and a Late Night Crime Fund to help with the funding of crime reduction initiatives. Another alternative proposal was the introduction of the 'Best Bar None' scheme within 6 months and investment in the Early Evening Economy to diversify the town centre.

Resolved:

1. To advertise the proposal to make an Early Morning Restriction Order to prohibit the sale of alcohol between the hours of 03:00 and 06:00 Monday to Sunday (excluding Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) in respect of the proposed new town centre saturation zone in accordance with Section 172B (1) (a) of the Licensing Act 2003.

2. To agree to consider any representations arising from the advertising of the proposed order in accordance with the timetable referred to in paragraph 3.14 of the report.

The meeting ended at 12.20 p.m.

Any queries regarding these Minutes, please contact:
Lennox Beattie, Democratic Services Team Leader (Executive and Regulatory)
Tel: 01253 477157, or alternatively, E-mail: lennox.beattie@blackpool.gov.uk

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