Agenda and minutes

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Abdul Amin made a non prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Items No. 5 and 6 as he was a Licensee within the Borough (Minutes 31 and 32 refer).

In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Vera Tomlinson made a non prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 7 as her daughter-in-law was involved with dog breeding (minute 33 refers).

To receive the minutes of the meetings held on 15^th December 2105.

Resolved – That, subject to the amendment of Councillor Eric Shaw’s attendance details, the minutes of the meetings held on 15^th December 2015, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

          The Licensing Committee considered (a) a report of the Council’s Licensing Manager setting out (i) the requirements under Section 5(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 for Licensing Authorities to update and publish their Statement of Licensing Policies every five years, (ii) a draft Statement of Licensing Policy which the Committee approved for consultation, (c) written responses to the consultation exercise received from Wiltshire Police, the Council’s Trading Standards team and Pubwatch Swindon, (d) an oral update by the Council’s Licensing Manager in respect of representations received from Public Health, and (e) a revised Statement of Licensing Policy incorporating proposed changes following consideration of representations received.

          Resolved – (1) That, subject to (a) Policy CD3 of the Statement of Licensing Policy being amended to include the following “On New Year’s Eve there is an expectation that the door supervisors will be provided to the same level as required by the licence or additionally on a risk assessed basis as agreed in writing with the Licensing Authority”, (b)  Policy PCH1 of the Statement of Licensing Policy being amended to read “Where there is an element of gambling on the premises”, and (c) in Policy PN4 paragraph (b) being deleted and replaced by paragraph (c) the Statement of Licensing Policy, be approved.

          (2) That, subject to (1) above, Council be recommended to approve and adopt the Statement of Licensing Policy.

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Abdul Amin made a non prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Licensee within the Borough.)

          The Committee considered (a) a report of the Council’s Licensing Manager setting out a proposal to introduce a Cumulative Impact Policy in respect of on and off licensed premises around the Broadgreen Area, (b) supporting information previously submitted by Wiltshire Police to the Committee on 16^th March 2015 (Minute 27 2014/15 refers), (c) the views of Councillor Bob Wright (Ward Councillor) in support of the introduction of a Cumulative Impact Policy in respect of on and off licensed premises around the Broadgreen Area, (d) additional comments in support of the introduction of a Cumulative Impact Policy from Wiltshire Police, and (e) responses to questions from Members of the Committee.

          Resolved – (1) That the Committee notes the evidence provided within the previous application by Wiltshire Police, albeit a much reduced area of concern, and agrees that it is sufficiently robust to enable a Cumulative Impact Policy to be drafted for public consultation with interested bodies including statutory bodies, licensees and the business community and that the draft policy be submitted to this Committee for consideration prior to the commencement of any consultation process.

          (2) That, further to (1) above, approval be given to the draft policy considerations, set out in paragraph 3.7 of the Licensing Manager’s report, as the basis for the content and direction of the draft policy.

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Abdul Amin made a non prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Licensee within the Borough.)

          The Council’s Licensing Manager submitted a report setting out responses to the Council’s consultation on Model Dog Breeding Licence conditions and setting out proposed Model Dog Breeding Licence conditions within the Borough.

          Resolved –That the Model Dog Breeding Licence conditions, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report of the Council’s Licensing Manager, be approved and adopted.

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Vera Tomlinson made a non prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as her daughter-in-law was involved with dog breeding.)