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 interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 1 June as an accurate record of the proceedings.

The Licensing Act 2003 places a statutory obligation upon the Council, as Licensing Authority, to determine and publish a statement of Licensing Policy. If the Council did not have a policy, it would likely be acting ultra vires with regards to any decisions it makes determining applications and notices under the Act.

The Licensing Act 2003 gives local authorities a range of responsibilities relating to premises licensing. The Statement of Licensing Policy states how the Council will exercise its authority.

This policy covers the following:

· How the Licensing Authority will use its regulatory powers in relation to applications and reviews of the activities it regulates, to the extent it is allowed by statute.

· The licensing objectives for the authority, which are set by legislative requirements.

· The Licensing Authority approach to regulation

· The scheme of delegation

The Statement of Licensing Policy 2023 – 2028 has been updated to take account of changes to relevant legislation and guidance over the last 5 years.

The main changes to the policy are detailed below. These were considered during the consultation process:

a) Addition of "Equality and Inclusion in Licensed Venues" section.

Addition of Representations by Other Persons section to cover disclosure of personal details.

 c) Nitrous Oxide (NOx) - addition of conditions to be considered, where appropriate, to require refusal of entry/service to those using NOx.

d) Drinks Spiking - guidance for applicants and licence and additional conditions to be consider, where appropriate, to prevent drinks spiking.

e) Welfare and Vulnerability and Engagement (WAVE) - expectation that licences for alcohol for consumption on premises train staff in WAVE.

f) Sexual Harassment in the Night Time Economy - encourage licence holders to sign up to Women's Night Safety Charter and refuse entry/service in the event of an act of misogyny, encourage applicants to discuss applications with the Councils VAWGs Team.

 g) Beer Gardens/outside areas - where issues are known, or suspected areas may be restricted after 9pm.

 h) Party Boats - addition of conditions applicants for party boats are expected to adopt.

 i) Online deliveries - conditions to be added where appropriate in relation to applications that include online alcohol sales.

j) Clear expectation for applicants for early engagement with Environmental Health Noise and Police for Temporary Event Notices (TENs).

 k) Request that Risk Assessment be supplied with a Temporary Event Notice. l) Addition of expectation for applicants to add correct address for licence holder(s) including emails, and for licenced holder to notify Licensing where details change.

The decision to approve the Policy is expressly stated in the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000 as being a function that cannot be the responsibility of the executive. The Full Council must decide to approve the Statement.

The Licensing Committee’s questions were responded to at the meeting, the committee noted the report and endorsed the new Licensing Policy for the next 5 years 2023-2028 to be approved at the next Full Council.