To receive nominations for Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

The Chair, asked for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2024/2025.

Councillor Musthak Ahmed proposed Councillor Suluk Ahmed for the position. This was seconded by Councillor Ahmodur Kabir and Councillor Ahmodur Khan.

Councillor Sabina Akhtar proposed Councillor Shubo Hussain for the position. This was seconded by Councillor Asma Islam.

There were no further nominations.

The Chair called for a vote;

Cllr Suluk Ahmed – 5 votes

Cllr Shubo Hussain - 6 votes

The Licensing Committee;

Resolved

That Councillor Shubo Hussain is elected as Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2024-2025.

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 made.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 18 January 2024 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

The minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 18^th January was agreed as a correct record.

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 2024/2025.

Ms Yesmin stated the report sought agreement to establish the Sub Committee and to determine which members of the Licensing Committee are appointed as Licensing Sub Committee Chairs.

Members were asked to either nominate themselves or others for the position.

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

·       Councillor Peter Golds

·       Councillor Shubo Hussain

·       Councillor Sabina Akhtar

·       Councillor Suluk Ahmed

·       Councillor Rebaka Sultana

·       Councillor Mushtak Ahmed

·       Councillor Leelu Ahmed

·       Councillor Asma Islam

·       Councillor Ahmodur Kabir

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 nine Licensing Sub-Committee Chairs.

Mr Ibrahim Hussain, Licensing Officer introduced the report by highlighting the income received, the expenditures 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 Hussain explained that in 2022/23 the total estimated budget was £588,000, which gave an estimated surplus of £318,488.  This combined the total revenue brought in from the LNL in 2021/22 plus any surplus left over.  Due to the large surplus that had built up mainly as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, a decision was made to introduce additional initiatives in 2023/24 to bring down the surplus.  This has worked out with the surplus of £155,602 this year.

Mr Hussain then briefly explained the levy initiatives roles and outcomes as detailed in the report.

In response to questions, Officers explained the how the usage of portable urinal is measured, reactive measures that take place throughout the year and the inspections that are carried out.

Members welcomed the report.

The Licensing Committee;

Resolved

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

Mr Jonathan Melnick, Principal Lawyer – Enforcement, briefly introduced the report which detailed the completed licensing related prosecutions and appeals for Quarter 4 2022-2023 and Quarters 1-3 2023-2024. It was noted that the London Borough of Tower Hamlets was a Licensing Authority and amongst its functions are requirements to monitor compliance with the licences that it grants, take action against unlicensed premises, and those that breach conditions of licences that have been granted and will be the respondent to any appeal against a decision of the Licensing Committee or Licensing Sub Committee.

It was noted that the report does not only deal with the Licensing Act 2003 matters but also those under the Gambling Act 2005 and Special Treatment Licences granted under the London Local Authorities Act 1991.

The number of prosecutions and appeals over the quarters was noted with a total of nine prosecutions and six appeals. Members acknowledged the efforts made by the Officers at meetings, especially the robust advice given at meetings by Legal Officers. 

Members welcomed the report.

The Licensing Committee;

Resolved

1. The report be noted.