Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Joshua Peck, Candida Ronald, Harun Miah and Andrew Cregan.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Rachael Saunders whose expected time of arrival for the meeting was 7:30 p.m.

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.

No Declarations of discloseable pecuniary interest were disclosed.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 23^rd May 2017 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

The minutes from the previous meeting of 23^rd May 2017 were agreed to be accurate record of the meeting.

Natalie Thompson, Principal Environmental Health Officer introduced her report. She stated the Tattoo Convention was a three day event which was due to take place at Tobacco Dock on the 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th September 2017. The event had run from the same location for the last 9 years and involved around 300 Tattooists from around the world providing tattoos to members of the public over the 3 days.

A special treatment licence is required for the premises and this is why this report is before the Committee. Natalie Thompson informed Members the Licensing Team were seeking an increase in the licencing fee, in order to ensure the recovery of costs. Licensing Officers would carry out relevant checks, inspections and if needed corrective actions to ensure the event is safe and the risks associated with blood borne viruses are managed.

Members of the Committee made the following comments in relation to the report and asked questions:

·         Great to see the three day event is returning to Tobacco Dock. 

·         Would it not be better to have a slightly higher increase in the licensing fee than the report suggests?

·         Can the Tattoo Hygiene Scheme be promoted at the event?

·         Can Members of this committee attend?

·         In comparison to other Local Authorities is the increase in licensing fee for special treatments comparative and at the market rate?

The Members of the Licensing Committee AGREED

1.    That the application fee for a massage and special treatment licence for the 2017 Tattoo Convention event be set at £3,383.55.

Vincent Fajilagmago, Licensing Project Officer presented his report to the Committee. He stated the report provided an update on the progress of the Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) initiative in Mile End as well as an update on the Best Bar None (BBN) Scheme run within the borough.

Both initiatives seek to lower alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.

In relation to the CAP initiative Vincent Fajilagmago referred Members to points 3.7 to 3.19 which set out the different strands of the project. He said residents within the CAP area were surveyed for their views before different stakeholders worked in partnership to deal with various problems such as anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol abuse. The Rapid Response Team and other stakeholders such as the Youth Employment Project had helped Bangladeshi and Somali gangs into employment and as such the issue of alcohol related crime and disorder had dissipated.

With respect to the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers the Trading Standards Officers had conducted test purchases and were working with off-licences and residents to educate them about the licensing procedure and where necessary take enforcement action.

In respect to the Best Bar None Scheme, Vincent Fajilagmago informed Members the BBN scheme had been successfully gaining support of both Canary Wharf and the Truman Brewery. They had agreed to be partners to boost promotion and recognition of the scheme. The BBN scheme introduced terms and conditions this year which give clear rules for applicants wishing to apply to enter the award.

The award ceremony will be held in March 2018 when accreditations, titles and trophies are awarded under different categories.

Members of the Committee made the following comments in relation to the report and asked questions:

·         Members expressed concern in relation to asking Housing Associations assisting in the CAP initiative. Members did not support this recommendation within the report.

·         What efforts have been made to discourage underage sales by off-licences?

·         Do Trading Standard Officers have power to search young people?

·         Can information be provided in numbers rather than in percentages?

·         The Youth Offending Team is not listed as a partner. Has the CAP involved them in the initiative? They would be a good link to make as a form of intelligence gathering.

·         Page 34, states incidents of ASB have reduced by 62.50%. How has this been assessed? It is not just alcohol and drug use which result in Anti-Social Behaviour. There is a big problem with nitrous oxide – laughing gas.

·         In reference to Page 48, Table 1.7 can you explain how those people surveyed would know the ethnicity of the person seen drinking?

·         Can not a similar scheme like the CAP be introduced to Canary Wharf?

The Committee NOTED the report and asked Officers to note the comments made in relation to the further development of both schemes.

Agnes Adrien, Team Leader for Enforcement and Litigation presented her report in relation to Prosecutions and Appeals.

She informed Members the report covered Quarters 1-4 for 2016/17 and Quarter 1 for 2017/18.

She referred Members to the tables of information at 3.4 which set out the case details and the outcomes achieved.

Members of the Committee made the following comments:

·         It is positive to hear about the progress being made in relation to the number of prosecutions undertaken by Licensing Enforcement Team and to note appeals against licensing decisions are low.

Changing nature of Leman Street/Alie Street

Cllr Dave Chesterton stated he had requested further information regarding the changing demographics of the Leman Street and Alie Street area when considering SEV applications last year and wanted to know if this information was available.

He said Members needed to understand the changing nature of the area, which was changing from being a commercial area to a more residential area. He said both Planning and Licensing Officers needed to produce a report, with this information, before the SEV applications were heard by the Committee at the end of September and early October.

Officers present at the meeting AGREED to convey the Committee’s request to the relevant officers in the council and to the Acting Corporate Director for Place – Ann Sutcliffe.

Committee Members AGREED the information should be made available to them as soon as possible but no later than the 2^nd October 2017.

Extension to Decision Deadline: Licensing Act 2003

Members AGREED to extend the deadline for the SEV renewal application for The Nags Head, 17-19 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DU from 28^th September to the 2^nd of October 2017.

Start time for future Licensing Committee Meetings

Members AGREED to hold future Licensing Committee meetings at 6:30 p.m. for the remainder of the municipal year 2017/18. This will bring the main committee meetings in line with sub-committee meetings.