Meeting documents
Licensing Act 2003 Committee
Monday, 19th November 2007
Present
Chair
WJ Davies
Councillors
J Hale, SAM Niblock, A Pritchard, DE Roberts, SL Rowlands, JJ Salter, H Smith, PA Smith, A Taylor, CM Teggin
Index to Minutes
- Minute 3 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
- Minute 4 - MINUTES
- Minute 5 - DRAFT STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY
Minute 3 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Minute Text :
Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.
No such declarations were made.
Minute 4 - MINUTES
Minute Text :
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2007, having been confirmed by the Council, be received.
Minute 5 - DRAFT STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration reported upon the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy. Under Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Council's Licensing Policy is required to be reviewed and published every three years. The Council's Statement of Licensing Policy was first published in January 2005 therefore had to be reviewed and published no later than January 2008.
The current statement of Licensing Policy had been circulated to various consultees for comments. The Head of Licensing reported that one response had been received from Bargain Booze Limited and subsequently there had been some amendments to the draft statement. Also that a general response had been received fom the British Beer and Pub Association.
Members raised various concerns including paragraphs 3.18, 3.19 and 4.8 of the Draft Policy, the definition of the word 'vicinity' and the effects of cumulative impact, in particular whether consultations could be undertaken with Merseyside Police.
The Head of Regulation referred to the 2003 legislation in that the definition of 'vicinity' was not specific within the legislation. He reported that the issue of cumulative impact had not been raised by anyone who had been consulted on the Licensing Policy and that the Policy had been based on the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.
The Head of Licensing reported that the draft Licensing Policy had been developed in accordance with the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and referred to paragraph 13.17 of the Guidance.
The Head of Regulation pointed out that one of the strengths in the legislation was the opportunity to bring licences into review and reported that the issue of cumulative impact was being looked at.
The Director of Regeneration reported that he would address those concerns that had been raised with the Area Commander and invite him to a meeting of this Committee to report upon the issues raised.
Minute Decision :
RECOMMENDED (8:3) - That the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy be approved as a Draft to be considered by the Council on 17 December 2007 for approval as the Licensing Policy.
(Minutes Published: 28 November 2007)