Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager which sought to inform the committee of the activities undertaken to discharge the Council’s licensing functions during the period 1^st April 2017 to 30^th April 2018.

It was explained that the licensing function encompassed two strategic objectives:

·         To work with businesses to ensure they were licensed and compliant;

·         To ensure safe passenger journeys, in safe licensed vehicles with safe licensed drivers.

It was also explained that the legislation that underpinned the Council’s licensing function was the Licensing Act 2003 whose main objectives were:

·         Prevention of crime and disorder;

·         Prevention of public nuisance;

·         Public safety;

·         Protection of children from harm

The number of licensed premises under the Act for year ending 31^st March 2018 were reported: these were 3531 in total. In the last 12 months, 8 applications to the Licensing Premises panel had been considered. It was also reported that 48 complaints had been received in relation to premises licenced under the Licensing Act 2003.

Applications under the Gambling Act 2005 continued to be in minor numbers and officers continued to work closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure compliance with licence conditions.

Trading Standards Officers continued to monitor premises were intelligence suggested attempts to purchase alcohol or other restricted goods by children. Figures relating to this issue were outlined in the report. Training would continue to be provided for all businesses regarding selling age restricted products.

With regards to the business of the Licensing Driver Panel, it was reported that since June 2017, a total of 37 hearings had been held: 32 for applications for new/renewal of licences and five for reviews of licences.

The details on the number of licences in force were provided as well as the figures concerning complaints and enforcement.

Members were also informed of current projects concerning the harmonisation of Private Hire and Hackney licensing policies across local authorities in Greater Manchester and recent changes in national legislation.

Members sought and received clarification / commented on the following points:

-        Gambling Act 2005, limit to betting and social responsibility of licensee;

-        Age restricted sales, data referred to separate premises;

-        Complaints and enforcement, hackney carriage and private hire complaint type and outcomes;

-        Private hire star rating scheme; up to date data to be published soon. Rating to be visible on the vehicle;

-        Comparison with other areas in the country with a high number of licences issued;

-        Other local authorities in Greater Manchester and opportunity for a shared taxi licensing policy;

-        Second hand dealers registration and requirement to keep a book of transactions;

-        Number of Pubwatch in the borough.

-        Recruitment issues – the service was now fully staffed with a new Principal Licensing Officer who recently joined the team.

At this point in the proceedings, Councillor M. Bashforth, left the meeting.

The Committee commended the progress on the NVQ level 2 training scheme on road passenger transport. The policy had been introduced last year and required all taxi drivers in Oldham to complete the NVQ course as a mandatory condition of their licence.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The report be noted;

2.    The implications of the report be considered in future licensing decisions.

At this point in the proceedings, Councillor Cosgrove left the meeting which was adjourned for five minutes and resumed at 11.07 a.m.