Meeting documents
Licensing Act 2003 Committee
Wednesday, 23rd February 2005
Present
Chair
AC Hodson
Councillors
IO Coates, WJ Davies, DJ Hunt, Mrs J McKelvie, Mrs CM Meaden, IM Moon, SAM Niblock, DE Roberts, CM Teggin
Index to Minutes
Minute 1 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Minute Text :
The Head of Legal and Member Services invited members to consider whether they had any personal or prejudicial interests relating to items on the agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were. No declarations were made.
Minute 2 - LICENSING ACT 2003 SUB-COMMITTEES
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration and the Director of Corporate Services reported that Council had determined that this Committee should discharge its functions under the Licensing Act 2003 to two Sub-Committees comprising of three members each, and to officers of the Licensing Authority, in accordance with the recommendations set out in Appendix 1 of the Statement of Licensing Policy. They reported that the Sub-Committees would be required to deal with applications where relevant representations had been made, if there was a Police objection, or to review a Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate. During the transition period, ie February to November 2005, the number of hearings would be dependent upon the number of applications to vary current licences held for both alcohol and entertainment where relevant representations or Police objections were received.
The Director of Regeneration and the Director of Corporate Services reported that the two Sub-Committees would be non-political and would operate on a pool basis, and a reserve member would also be required for each hearing to take account of a conflict of interest. They reported that the appointment of Chairs for the Sub-Committees could be delegated to the members of the Sub-Committee to decide on the day of the hearing.
Members of the Committee discussed the possible increase in the number of Court hearings they would be required to attend to defend decisions taken by the Sub-Committees, and suggested that they be paid an allowance for their attendance at Court. Members also requested that they receive training on Court hearings and procedures.
Minute Decision :
Resolved -
(1) That the three members and one reserve member of each non-political Sub-Committee be drawn from the pool of twelve Committee members for each hearing.
(2) That the Chairs of the Sub-Committees be appointed on the day of each hearing.
(3) That officers investigate the payment of an allowance for members attending Court hearings.
(4) That arrangements be made for training of members on Court hearings and procedures.
(Minutes Published: 10 March 2005)