The Committee is asked to:

1.    Consider the evidence and statutory consultation returns and retain both CIAs in Brick Lane and Benthal Green; and

2.    Consider and agree the reviewed CIA Policy Statement, which has been reviewed in light of the consultation. 

The Committee received a report regarding the Councils Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Policy for 2021 – 2024.

The Committee noted that the Council (i) as a Licensing Authority must review its Cumulative Impact Policies every 3 years; (ii) has two Cumulative Impact Policies or Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIA) as they are now referred to in the legislation and government guidance; (iii) introduced the first CIA in Brick Lane which has been in place for approximately 7 years and the second one, which is in Bethnal Green, has been in place for 3 years.The main points of the discussion and questions arising may be summarised as follows.

The Committee:

v  Observed that the Cumulative Impact Assessment forms part of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and therefore if CIAs are adopted, then the Statement of Licensing Policy needs to reflect this change. As part of the review of these CIAs a statutory consultation process took place between the 28th of January and 22nd April 2021. If accepted, the reviewed CIAs, which form part of the Statement of Licensing Policy, will go to full Council for adoption.

v  Understood that the concept of Cumulative Impact has been included within Section 182 Licensing Guidance issued by the Home Office since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. The Act regulates the sale of alcohol, late night refreshment and the provision of entertainment. Section 5 of the Act requires licensing authorities to publish a Statement of Licensing Policy every five years (amended by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act).

v  Commented that a Borough Wide Policy would help to address if there are hotspots of anti-social behaviour or crimee.g. many residents indicate that antisocial behaviour is they feel linked to the use of nitrous oxide or some licensed premises is a significant concern. In response it was noted that before acting LBTH would have to ensure that there is adequate evidence from partner agencies that there is a high concentrations of issues and at present these are addressed through the existing CIAs in Brick Lane and Bethnal Green.

v  Requested that they receive details on the mechanisms that the resident’s and councillors can bring premises in front on a licensing committee.

v  Noted that with regards to individual premises or individual locations LBTH have other powers that that could be used in regards licensed premises and the predominant power is about reviewing a licence where local residents or ward Councillors can bring a licensed premise in front of the Licensing Committee for review of that licence which could result in that licence being revoked or further conditions being put on that licence.

v  Noted that LBTH has looked at the data used to address issues in relation to licensed premises and were very confident that the data especially that from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and in relation noise nuisance provided from the LBTH own service. However, that the data is one element the other element of the information being outlined  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9

Mr David Tolley, Head of Environmental Health presented the Licensing Policy 2018 -2023. Mr Tolley explained the policy was a statutory policy of the Council which requires the Council to update it, every five years.  Mr Tolley said a twelve week consultation had been undertaken and Cabinet had considered the policy. The Statement of Licensing Policy would be further discussed at Full Council on the 19^th September 2018, before the proposed policy would be adopted.

Mr Tolley referred Members to point 3.9 of the report and said various stakeholders and the public had been consulted in devising the policy. Over 1,000 letters had been sent and the policy detailed the responsibility of the Licensing Committee and its sub-committee. Mr Tolley stated the main changes to the policy, was the introduction of a Cumulative Impact Zone in Bethnal Green. Point 3.13, page79 of the agenda pack, outlined the council’s framework hours which would remain unchanged. Mr Tolley said the Licensing Team would continue to consult residents within a 40 meter radius and were looking to revamp the website so to ensure the customer journey, systems and processes were more transparent and sufficient. 

Mr Tolley stated the report was for noting and upon Full Council accepting the policy, adoption of the policy would be from the 1^st November 2018.

Members of the Committee asked questions in relation to the report and the following was noted:

·         Mr Tolley was asked what the motivation was for the introduction of a CIZ in Bethnal Green. Mr Tolley explained the public consultation and consultation with the police supported an introduction of a CIZ in the area due to the concentration of businesses such as pubs and clubs and the increase in anti-social behaviour.

·         Mr Tolley was asked if he could provide statistical information on the number of Anti-Social Behaviour incidents in Bethnal Green. Mr Tolley confirmed he would circulate this information to the committee.

·         Mr Tolley clarified the Statement of Licencing Policy did not include the Council’s policy on Sexual Entertainment Venues. This was a separate policy. Members queried if the SEV policy could be reviewed. After discussion it was agreed that a workshop of the Council’s SEV policy may benefit members.

The Members of the Licensing Committee:

1.    Noted the proposed the Statement of Licensing Policy that will be put before full Council on the 19^th September 2018.