Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 August 2020 as a true and correct record.

The Licensing Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 6 August 2020.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 6 August 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Following changes to the formation of this Committee and the resignation of the Vice-Chairman of the Public Protection Sub-Committee to consider appointing to the positions of Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Public Protection Sub-Committee.

The Licensing Committee considered, following changes to the membership of the Licensing Committee and the resignation of Vice-Chairman of the Public Protection Sub-Committee, the appointment of a Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Committee and of the Public Protection Sub-Committee.

Resolved:

1.     To note the changes in membership of the Licensing Committee and Public Protection Sub-Committee.

2.     To appoint Councillor Danny Scott as Vice -Chairman of the Licensing Committee for the remainder of Municipal Year 2020/2021.

3.     To appont Councillor Danny Scott as Vice-Chairman of the Public Protection Sub- Committee for the remainder of Municipal Year 2020/2021.

Further to the decision of the Committee on 6 August 2020 concerning the new temporary Pavement Licence to consider whether the Committee wishes to revisit the fee aspect of that decision in light of the revised situation, set out in the report.

The Licensing Committee considered the issue of Pavement Licences. The Committee had previously the issue at its meeting on 6 August 2020, where it had agreed the Pavement Licence policy. Subsequent the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change haad agreed to waive the Street Café Licence fee and replace it with a £25 administration fee to help and support small businesses within Blackpool. The Committee in setting the fee level had not been aware that this decision to waive the fee would be made.

The Committee discussed the fee and agreed that it wished to amend its previous decision to ensure consistency with the Street Café Street Licence and to support businesses affected by Coronavirus.

Resolved:

1.     To set aside decision of the Licensing Committee on 6 August 2020, to set the fee for Pavement Licences at £100.

2.     To set the fee for applications for Pavement Licence at the same nominal £25 administration fee as the Street Café Licences fee.

3.     To refund any fees already paid for Pavement Licences or reapply them to other licence fees.

4.     To refer the fees to the relevant Cabinet Member for future review along with other Licensing fees as part of the budget setting process in 2021, to ensure similar considerations are using in reviewing the Pavement Licence fee and Street Café Licence fee in future.

To update the Committee on the details of licences applied for, dealt with and appealed in the period 14 February 2020 to 10 September 2020.

The Licensing Committee received an update on the details of licences applied for, dealt with and appealed in the period 14 February 2020 to 10 September 2020.

Mrs Sharon Davies, Senior Solicitor, highlighted to the Committee details of the ten Premises Licences granted administratively as no objections had been received, the one application considered by the Licensing Panel, that no reviews of Premises Licences had been undertaken and no Pavement Licences had yet been granted. Mrs Davies further highlighted that there were two appeals pending before the Magistrates Court by objectors against the grant of a variation of Premises Licences.

Resolved:

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

To provide a presentation to the Committee on licensing enforcement activities during the last six months.

The Licensing Committee received an update on enforcement activities from Mr Lee Petrak, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager. Mr Petrak explained that enforcement work had been undertaken in a number of different ways since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. The initial phase had been focussed on the enforcing the Coronavirus Business Closure Regulations. Once premises had begun to be permitted to reopen, enforcement had been shifted to enforce of the new rules but with an emphasis on educating premises on how to operate safely. The number of visits had been increased with this approach in mind.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Petrak, highlighted his view that compliance had been good. He did express a concern about changes in opening hours and particularly if neighbouring areas had more restrictive controls.  

Resolved:

To note the update on licensing enforcement.