The Chair welcomed Members to the first meeting of the Licensing Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15. 

To receive nominations for the election of the Vice-Chair.

The Chair sought nominations for election of Vice-Chair. 

That Councillor Peter Golds be elected Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/2015.

To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992.  See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 11 March 2014 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

That the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 11^th March 2014 were confirmed and agreed as a correct record.

The Committee received a brief report which detailed the Licensing Committee’s terms of reference, quorum, membership and schedule of dates for the Municipal Year 2014/15 as agreed by Full Council at its meeting held on 11^th June 2014.

1.         That the Licensing Committee Terms of Reference, Membership and Quorum as set out in Appendices 1 & 2 be noted.

The Committee received a report which detailed the need to establish Licensing Sub Committees, appoint Sub Committee Chairs and membership to the Sub Committees.

The Chair asked for nominations and volunteers to be Chairs of the Licensing Sub Committees, a short discussion followed and it was;

1)    That the Licensing Sub Committees be established.

2)    That eight Licensing Sub Committee Chairs be appointed.

3)    That Councillors Khales Ahmed, Rajib Ahmed, Rachel Blake, Clare Harrisson, Andrew Cregan, Amina Ali, the Vice-Chair Peter Golds and the Chair, Councillor Amy Whitelock-Gibbs be appointed as Chairs of the Licensing Sub Committees. 

4)    That all Members of the Licensing Committee serve on the Sub Committees (a Sub Committee consisting of a named Chair and any two other members).

5)    That the Licensing Sub Committee Terms of Reference attached as Appendix 1, the Schedule of Dates attached as Appendix 2 and the Rules of Procedure attached as Appendix 3 be noted.

Mr David Tolley, Head of Consumer and Business Regulations introduced the report which detailed the current work programs that were planned for the Municipal Year 2014/15. The report also detailed the effective dates relating to the Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEV) Licensing agreed by Full Council on 26^th March 2014. It was also noted that Members would receive separate training in relation to SEVs prior to any application being considered.

Mr Tolley then highlighted the current proactive work programs;  

a)     Reducing the high strength alcohol offering across the Borough.

b)     Responsible Retailer Scheme

c)      Pub Watch

d)     Best Bar None scheme

e)     Tasking Meeting

f)        Licensing Enforcement Forum.

g)     Community Alcohol Partnership

h)      Late Night Inspections

Members then heard from Ms Cam Lieng, Licensing Officer who detailed the work program on the Community Alcohol Partnership she explained that it was a partnership project to tackle underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour within Bethnal Green and St Peter’s Wards.

In response to questions it was noted that this program would be rolled out to other wards in the Borough and the results from this program would be available in six months.

Members welcomed the report and agreed that a further report is brought back to the Committee detailing results and the success of the project.

1. That the current work programs of the service be noted.

2. That the effective dates for the Sexual Entertainment Venue Licensing be noted.

3. That a report on the success and results of the Community Alcohol Partnership be brought back to a future Licensing Committee meeting.

Mr Paul Greeno, Senior Advocate briefly introduced the report which detailed licensing related prosecutions and appeals for 2013/2014. 

Members welcomed the report, noted the results of the prosecutions and appeals detailed in the report and thanked Mr Greeno for the information provided. 

Members agreed that the Committee receive a quarterly report on prosecutions and appeals at Licensing Committee meetings. 

That the report be noted.

Members raised concerns about the Saturation Policy and its effect on restaurants and businesses. It was noted that the policy came into effect on 1^st November 2013 and was subject to a review process.

Following a short discussion it was agreed that a detailed discussion was required on this topic. The Chair asked officers to present a report/presentation at the next meeting on the Saturation Policy, for Members to get a better understanding of the policy, its remits, and how things were currently working and the challenges faced with the policy.