To receive nominations for Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee.

The Chair, asked for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2022/2023.

The Chair proposed Councillor Peter Golds for the position. This was seconded by Councillor Amin Rahman and Councillor Sabina Akthar. 

There were no further nominations.

The Licensing Committee;

Resolved

That Councillor Peter Golds is elected as Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2022-2023.

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests form and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 15^th March 2022 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

The minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 15^th March 2022 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

Simmi Yesmin, Democratic Services Officer, introduced the report and stated that this report set out the Terms of Reference, Membership and Quorum of the Licensing Committee and the schedule of dates for the Municipal Year 2022/2023.

The Licensing Committee;

Resolved

1.    That the Terms of Reference, Membership and Quorum as set out in Appendices 1 of the report be noted.

Simmi Yesmin, Democratic Services Officer introduced the report and stated that the report set out the Terms of Reference and meeting dates for the Licensing Sub-Committee for the Municipal Year 2022/2023.

Ms Yesmin stated the report was seeking to determine the number of Licensing Sub-Committee chairs and asked members to either nominate themselves or others for the position.

The following Members were put forward to be Chairs for the Licensing Sub-Committees:

·       Councillor Kamrul Hussain

·       Councillor Peter Golds

·       Councillor Sabina Akhtar

·       Councillor Suluk Ahmed

·       Councillor Rebaka Sultana 

·       Councillor Said Ahmed

·       Councillor Leelu Ahmed

·       Councillor Shubo Hussain

The Licensing Committee;

Resolved

1.    That Licensing Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference and Schedule of meetings attached as Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

2.    The establishment of Licensing Sub-Committees to determine applications where representations have been made was agreed.

3.    Agreed to appoint eight Licensing Sub-Committee Chairs.

Mr Tom Lewis, Team Leader of Licensing and Safety introduced the annual report for 2021/22 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 4 (2021/22) which was £299,904.17 and detailed the committed and actual spend in Year 4 of £251,233.73 leaving an estimated surplus of £48,670.44 from year 4. It was also noted that the surplus from year 3 and year 4 estimated as surplus of £500,4448.45 into year 5.

The effects of the pandemic were noted, which meant that certain initiatives were reduced or stopped during parts of 2021/22. These included Street Pastors, Portable Toilets, Additional Street Cleaning, and the Conflict Awareness Training. However, due to the surplus this year there would be an increased roll out of the initiative for Additional Police Serials between June to 1^st January, these are a unit of six PC and one PS operating 3 days per week in the summer and 2 days per week in the Autumn. 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. Mr Lewis then briefly explained the levy initiatives roles and outcomes as detailed in the report.

Members welcomed the report. 

The Licensing Committee;

Resolved

1.    The work achieved via the levy revenue, the income received, and the expenditure was noted.