To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of;

·        Councillor Carlo Gibbs

·        Councillor Rofique Ahmed

·        Councillor Lutfa Begum

·        Councillor Shafiqul Haque

·        Councillor Harun Miah

·        Councillor Oliur Rahman

·        Councillor Amy Whitelock

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 Chief Executive.

Councillor Zara Davis declared a personal interest in agenda item 4.1, Application for a Special Treatment Licence; London Tattoo Convention on the basis that she lived in close proximity to the venue the convention is proposed to be held in. 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 7^th June 2010 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

That the unrestricted minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 7^th June 2010 was agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

Mr David Tolley, Environmental Health Commercial Services Manager, introduced the report which detailed the application for a Special Treatment Licence for the London Tattoo Convention to be held on 24^th – 26^th September 2010. It was noted that an objection had been received by a local resident detailed on page 33 of the agenda.

It was noted that this would be the 6^th year this event would have been held in Tower Hamlets and that over the previous years, the Council had not received any complaints. In response to the objection made, Mr Tolley and Mr Marcus Berriman, applicant, addressed the concerns of the objector and detailed the following measures that would be implemented this year to alleviate concerns;

a) Dispersing crowds via the Pennington Street entrance from 22.00hrs

            b) A policy of no alcohol leaving the site as in previous years

            c) Regular canal side patrols to discourage anti-social behaviour

            d) Removal of re-entry wristbands for patrons found to be misbehaving

            e) Signage erected to request consideration to immediate neighbours

On a Vote of 6 for and 0 against it was unanimously;

RESOLVED

That the Application for a Special Treatment Licence for the London Tattoo Convention to be held on 24^th – 26^th September 2010 be GRANTED.

Mr David Tolley, Environmental Health Commercial Service Manager, introduced the report and explained that a decision of the Licensing Committee was required to increase the standard Massage and Special Treatment Licence fee from £275.90 to £2,400 in relation to the London Tattoo Convention. 

It was noted that the Convention would attract 220 tattooists from various countries, who would be offering tattoos to members of the public, mainly by appointment. The Convention was to be held over three days on the 24^th, 25^th and 26^th September 2010. The event is to be held at the Tobacco Dock, Porters Walk, London E1W 2SE.

In response to a Member’s question, Mr Tolley explained that the increased fee had been estimated for the time commitment for determining the licence and monitoring the event would be 18 hours of pre planning meeting, 21 hours of administration and vetting the paperwork and a considerable amount of hours monitoring and advice during and after the event. This resulted in a total cost of £2,400. It was further noted that this considerable amount of monitoring is required due to the high-risk nature of the event in controlling blood borne diseases, the control of clinical waste and the general public safety at the event.

On a Vote of 6 for and 0 against it was unanimously;

RESOLVED

That the standard Massage and Special Treatment Licence fee be increased from £275.90 to £2,400 in respect of the London Tattoo Convention to be held on 24^th – 26^th September 2010.