To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of;

·        Councillor Carlo Gibbs

·        Councillor Khales Ahmed

·        Councillor Rajib Ahmed

·        Councillor Rofique Ahmed

·        Councillor Shafiqul Haque

·        Councillor David Snowdon 

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Extraordinary Licensing Committee held on 31^st August 2010 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

That the unrestricted minutes of the Extraordinary Licensing Committee meeting held on 31^st August 2010 was agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

Ms Jackie Randall, Acting Licensing Services Manager, introduced the report which detailed the three year review of the Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003. It was noted that the Licensing Authority must review its licensing policy every three years. Ms Randall explained that there was little change in the current draft policy and highlighted the changes in the ‘Minor Variations Process’, and in the ‘Mandatory Conditions’. Members were advised that there would be a statutory consultation period and then the policy would need to be determined and adopted by full Council.

In response to questions Ms Randall explained that the Sex Establishment Policy would run simultaneously with the Licensing Policy and require the Licensing Policy to be reviewed again within the next 12 months it is adopted, it was noted that the Sex Establishment Policy would be a separate policy that would be referred to in the Licensing Policy. Members asked question on the saturation policy, healthy eating and the timeline for adoption of the Sex Establishment Policy.

Members asked for some amendments to the Licensing Policy in order for the Policy to be concise and relevant to Tower Hamlets;

• Section 66 ‘Miners Welfare Institutes’ to be deleted
• Section 22 ‘No Traveller and similar signs’ to include ‘or a particular class of persons’.

RESOLVED

1.             That the key areas for consultation of the three year review of the Licensing Policy be noted.

2.             That the process of consultation in reviewing the Council’s Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 be noted.