The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon the number of licences that had been issued and varied under the Licensing Act 2003 since 1 April 2014.  Members were provided with details of the number of licences that had been surrendered, lapsed or been subject to Review as well as the number of Temporary Event Notices that had been submitted to the Licensing Authority since 1 April 2014.

The Licensing Manager reported upon the number of licences that had been granted or varied from 1 April 2014 to 5 March 2015 and the total number of licences that were currently in force.  It was reported that 497 Temporary Event Notices had been given to the Licensing Authority during the period 1 April 2014 to 5 March 2015 and that 21 applications had been considered by the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee during this financial year which included 15 new Premises Licence applications which were granted, one new Premises Licence which was refused and three variations to Premises Licences which were all granted. 

Members were further advised that applications to Transfer a Premises Licence and to change a Designated Premises Supervisor had both been refused.  A Temporary Event Notice had also been listed but had been withdrawn during the proceedings and an application for a Personal Licence had been refused.

It was reported that there had been a total number of 30 Premises Licences that had been surrendered or lapsed during the period 1 April 2014 to 5 March 2015.  This figure included six Premises Licences that lapsed after the Open Golf Championship.  Details were also provided in respect of two premises which had been subject to review.  Three applications to Review  Premises Licence that had been received from Merseyside Police would be considered by the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee during March/April 2015.

The Licensing Manager advised that statutory timescales had to be met when applications must be considered and thanked Members for their support in sitting on Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committees.

Members also expressed their thanks to the Licensing Manager and the Licensing Team, Solicitors and Committee Clerks.

In response to questions from Members, the Licensing Manager advised that she would provide regular updates to the Committee in order that Members may compare trends with licensed premises.

The Licensing Manager also provided some clarification regarding issues that had arisen in respect of Temporary Event Notices.  She informed Members that these Notices were not granted by the Authority but were served on Merseyside Police and Environmental Health who could object to the Notices which would result in the matter being considered at a hearing.  The Licensing Manager advised that licensing and planning were two separate processes and confirmed that the Licensing Department notified the Planning Department in respect of any Temporary Event Notices that had been received.  The Licensing Manager advised that she would provide an update of the legislation to the first meeting of this Committee to be held in the forthcoming municipal year.

Resolved – That the report be noted.