Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the Licensing Annual report which informed Members of the activities undertaken to discharge the Council’s Licensing function during the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Members were informed that There are two strategic objectives that relate to Licensing:-

(i)            To work with businesses to ensure they are licensed and compliant. This covers:

·         Proactively licensing premises and individuals engaged in alcohol supply, entertainment and late-night refreshment.

·         Participation in Pubwatch schemes, partnership projects and joint, intelligence led inspections to ensure licence conditions are not being breached.

·         Promotion of the four licensing objectives and three gambling objectives.

(ii)      The second relates to ensuring safe passenger journeys, in safe licensed vehicles with safe licensed drivers. This covers:

·         Undertaking inspections of licensed vehicles.

·         Vetting new applicants for licences to ensure they are fit and proper.

·         Ensuring that passengers are safe in vehicles by responding to complaints and investigating offences and breaches of conditions.

The Licensing Act 2003 was governed by four licensing objectives:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Public Safety
• Protection of Children from Harm

Members were informed about the number of licensed premises under the Act, the number of applications considered by the Licensing Premises Panel and the number of complaints related to licensed premises. Members were also informed about the number of permissions under the Gambling Act 2005 and an update on age restricted sales.

Members were informed that officers continued to work with the private hire and hackney trade to ensure effective communication and consultation took place. The Committee were provided with an update on the details of applicants and drivers brought before the Licensing Drivers Panel over the last twelve months. Members were provided with the breakdown of licences in force and the vehicle testing data.

Members were informed of future challenges and changes with regular changes to legislation and guidance affecting licensing together with consultations; the summaries of which are detailed below:

·         Making the temporary pavement licence legislation permanent;

·         Awaiting consultation on the Governments levelling up agenda to review to the number of taxi licensing authorities;

·         Awaiting Governments Taxi and Private Hire best practice guidance;

·         Implementing changes under the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022 which relate to the national register of refusals, revocations and suspensions and the sharing of information with other licensing authorities.

Members were also informed of current projects which were underway or due to start in the coming months which included:

·         Reviewing hackney carriage ranks, licence release policy and unmet demand.

·         Reviewing taxi policy to modernise processes and procedures and encourage applicants to licence with our Borough.

·         Review of Licensing IT capabilities to improve the service and experience of applicants, and encouraging self-serve functions where possible.

In response to a question, Members were informed that Licensing Policy changes can be applied retrospectively to Licence holders.

RESOLVED that:

(i)    The report be noted.

(ii)  The implications of the report be considered in future licensing decisions.