Issue - meetings
Late Night Levy: Annual Review
Meeting: 25/05/2021 - Licensing Committee (Item 4)
4 Late Night Levy: Annual Review PDF 330 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Mr Tom Lewis, Team Leader of Licensing and Safety introduced the annual report for 2020/21 of the income received, and the expenditure and initiatives funded by the late night levy. He explained that the levy charge was set by Central Government and was based on the rateable value of the premises. It was noted that most premises in Tower Hamlets were rated as Band B or C (£768/ £1259).
Mr Lewis highlighted the total income received by the levy in Year 3 (2020/21) and detailed the committed and actual spend in Year 3 leaving an estimated surplus of £451,778. The effects of the pandemic were noted, which meant that the amount collected for Year 3 was likely to be less than what it would have been, however it was noted that officers were now in the process of ensuring that all premises were up to date with the levy charges. The coronavirus pandemic also meant that certain initiatives stopped during all or parts of 2020/21. These included street pastors, portable toilets, additional cleaning and the conflict awareness training and due to the surplus this year there would be an increase in the roll out of initiatives for 2021/2022. It was also noted that having benchmarked with other London boroughs, officers would be exploring other possible initiatives that could be considered such as alcohol-free campaign, radio linked scheme for late night venues and additional safety campaigns and training.
In response to questions it was noted that portable toilets were placed in hotspot areas and this was decided in consultation with the Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officer (THEOs). Mr Lewis encouraged Members to get in touch with him if they had any suggestions for areas that would benefit from having portable toilets installed.
Members welcomed the report.
The Licensing Committee;
Resolved
1. The work achieved via the levy revenue, the income received and the expenditure was noted.