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 21^st July 2015 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

That the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 21^st July 2015 were confirmed and agreed as a correct record.

Mr David Tolley, Head of Consumer and Business Regulations introduced the report which detailed the review which took place with regards to licence fees that could be set locally. It was noted that the fees under consideration were those for Massage, Special Treatments, Performing Animals Registration and Animal Boarding Establishments.

Mr Tolley explained the rationale behind the proposed 1% licence fee increases and explained that fee increases were set at values that would enable the Council to recover the administrative and enforcement cost associated with the relevant licences. Mr Tolley also explained that where a business operated a selection of beauty treatments and intense pulse light laser treatment, only the higher fee of the two would be payable.

It was also noted that Members were requested to approve the adoption of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Model Licence conditions for Animal Boarding Establishments.

In response to questions from Members the following was noted;

·         That neighbouring local authorities licence fees were taken into consideration when setting the fees. The bench marking table was detailed in Appendix 1. 

·         That the fee for Animal Boarding Establishment would enable the Council to have more control over business arrangements and monitor the care of animals. 

·         That approximately 3 applications were received last year for Performing Animals Registration.

·         That inspections/site visits would enable Officers to check the venue is suitable and meets the standard requirements for Animal Boarding Establishments.

·         Those that avoid paying the fee can be identified by adverts, complaints from residents, pet shops, animal wardens and the PDSA.  

1.    That the fee for Massage and Special Treatment licences, including Intense Pulse Light laser treatment, be increased by 1.0% raising Massage and Special Treatment Licences from £319 to £322 and Intense Pulse Light laser treatment licences from £513 to £518.

2.    That where a business operates a selection of beauty treatments and Intense Pulse Light laser treatment, that only the higher fee is payable.

3.    That the fee for Performing Animals registration is increased by 1.0% raising Performing Animals registration from £360 to £364.

4.    That a fee for a Variation of a Performing Animals registration is increased by 1.0% raising a Variation of a Performing Animals registration from £269 to £272. 

5.    That a fee for Animal Boarding Establishment, (including Home Boarding Establishments), be set at £363 based on the calculations in Appendix One.

6.    That the licence conditions for Animal Boarding Establishments be approved.

7.    That all fees are non- refundable once an application has been submitted, due to the commencement of processing the licence.

8.    That these fees will commence on 1 November 2015 and will apply to all new and renewed licences applications and all performing animal registrations and variation applications received on or after that date.

Ms Gurwinder Kaur Olive, Senior Lawyer, briefly introduced the report which detailed licensing related prosecutions and appeals for Quarter 2 2015/2016.

It was noted that there had been one prosecution where the licensee accepted a caution and was fined £712.50 and two appeals which were both settled without costs incurred on the Council. 

Following a short discussion the following was AGREED;

• Ms Olive to email/report back to Councillor Josh Peck with details of the prosecution against The London Food Centre, 407 Roman Road, London E3 5QS.
• That future update reports should include all matters considered by the Licensing Sub Committee and the Licensing Committee.

Members welcomed the report, and noted the results of the prosecution and appeals detailed in the report.

That the report be noted.

There was no other business considered urgent by the Chair.