Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Inch with Councillor K James substituting and Councillor H Tomas with Councillor L Ford substituting.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th March 2023.

It was proposed by Councillor S Harding, seconded by Councillor P Hackett and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held 8^th March 2023 on be agreed as a

correct record.

(Vote: For – 3, Against – 0, Abstentions - 7) 

Newly elected Members and new Committee Members voted to abstain as they were not present at the previous meeting.   

No outstanding actions.

Nothing was discussed as no actions were outstanding.

Members with interests to declare should refer to the agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is being considered.

Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

There were no Part II items.

Prior to the start of the meeting a briefing session took place where it was advised that the fees charged for licenses had not increase since 2005.

Therefore, the Chair proposed that this committee write to Geoffrey Cox, MP asking to make representation that the fees be re-aligned to be more reasonable. 

It was proposed by Councillor C Bright, seconded by Councillor L Ford and –

Resolved:

That the Licensing Committee write to Geoffrey Cox, MP asking to make representation that the fees be re-aligned to be more reasonable. 

(Vote: For – 9, Against – 1, Abstentions – 0)

To receive the report of the Lead Licensing Officer.

The Lead Licensing Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to review and update the Authority’s current Statement of Licensing Policy under s.5 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Councillor P Pennington asked for two minor amendments to the policy.

The Chair asked for some re-wording to 4.3.2 of the policy.

It was proposed by Councillor C Bright, seconded by Councillor S Harding and –

Resolved:

That the draft revised Statement of Policy be approved and sent out for consultation.

That consultation on the draft statement is carried out over an 8 week period and the responses reported back to this Committee.

(Vote: For – unanimous)

The forward plan was discussed and updated.

It was agreed to cancel the Licensing meeting on 26^th July 2023.

A brief discussion took place regarding holding Licensing meetings in both the daytime and evening to accommodate those Members with work commitments.

It was proposed by Councillor P Pennington, seconded by Councillor L Ford and agreed that Licensing meetings start times alternate between 10am and 6.30pm.

Following a query from Councillor W Lo-Vel, the Lead Licensing Officer confirmed that any reviews would be conducted at a separate sub-licensing committee and independent of the main licensing committee and would not impact a licence application.