The Committee received a report that outlined the recommendations of the scrutiny review on creating a balanced night time economy in Tower Hamlets. The focus of this review being the delivery of a balanced Night Time Economy [NTE] in the Borough, ensuring that the benefits of a thriving local NTE are balanced against mitigating the negative impacts that the NTE can have on local people. The questions and comments from Members on the report may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

Noted that:

·         There was a need to develop a balance economy and a voice for local people and the apparent failure of the cumulative impact zone. Also it was felt that the value of the night time economy is unclear in LBTH whereas in Westminster there is considered to be a clear understanding of the NTE e.g. the level of ASB in local Accident & Emergency Units and how best to address it and apparent increase in unlicensed guest houses and hotels;

·         The Council should develop a vision for the coming five to ten years for the Night Time Economy in the Borough;

·         The Council should appoint a “Night Czar” for the Borough who is a champion for a balanced Night Time Economy, a voice for all and not just businesses and their customers;

·         The Council urgently needs to review its Cumulative Impact Zone as the policy has failed to control the growth of licensed premises;

·         The Council ensures that if a Late Night Levy is introduced, funds raised by the Levy fund additional activity, clarity is gained about what the 70% of funding allocated to the Police will be used for and explores the Soho model of using the Late Night Levy as a way of bringing businesses and residents together;

·         The Council maps the “customer journey” for local residents through the licensing and enforcement process, with the aim of creating a clear guide for local people on who to contact and when if they are being affected by the NTE, accompanied by service improvement;

·         The Council should review its staffing approach for enforcement officers for issues such as noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour (ASB) to ensure that officers are available at times of high demand such as late night at weekends;

·         The Council should ensure that its skills and employment support provides local residents and young people with the assistance that they need to take advantage of opportunities for employment in night time economy employers;

·         The Council undertakes a review of its Assets of Community Value process, and ensures that provisions in the Local Plan are robustly and consistently applied to save pubs and clubs as community assets;

·         The Council should explore licensing and enforcement options for new, “sharing economy” entrants to the NTE in the Borough;

·         The Council should undertake a review of its approach to ensuring adequate public toilet facilities for those using the NTE and travelling between venues to reduce the impact of public fouling on residents local to NTE zones;

·         The Council should conduct a comprehensive impact assessment of the impact of the Night Time Economy on residents, services and businesses.

Accordingly, the Chair Moved and it was:-

RESOLVED

To:

1.    Agree the draft report and the recommendations; and

2.    Authorise the Divisional Director for Strategy, Policy and Partnership to amend the draft report before submission to Cabinet, after consultation with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.