Agenda item

The Committee gave consideration to a report of the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager which provided information on the activities undertaken to discharge the Council’s Licensing function during the period 1^st April 2020 to 31^st March 2021.

There were two strategic objectives that related to Licensing which were:

1.            To work with businesses to ensure they were licensed and compliant.

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

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.  It was noted that as the Licensing Office had closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, decisions on applicants and reviews had been dealt with by the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager under delegated powers.  Members were also provided vehicle testing data and information on other licences which included Marriage premises, Scrap Metal and Pavement Licences.

The Committee were providing information on the implications of COVID-19.  The pandemic had hit all sectors of trade and business. The Council had continued to support businesses in different ways. Some work had been delayed due to the current situation. The current projects underway or due to start included:

·         Refreshing the Gambling Policy

·         Updating the Street Trading Policy

·         Implementing the forthcoming recommendations on Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards alongside the Clean Air Plan.

Members welcomed the Grants to licensed drivers and felt that it had a positive impact on the trade. Members asked for clarification on the emergency delegated decisions and if those drivers were still actively working. Members were informed that five were still driving pending the appeals and one had their licence immediately revoked. Emergency delegated decisions were a second system that allowed for decisions considered a matter of urgent public safety to be made. This could include medical reasonings and offences made.

Members asked for the breakdown of licensed premises Covid breaches. Members were informed that Oldham premises had been trying their best to adhere to the Covid regulations and not many infringements had been identified. Members were informed that one public house had received a financial penalty for being open when directed to shut. One premises had also been given a direction to close due to breach of Covid regulations.

Members asked if mystery shoppers were still taking part in age restricted sales. It was explained that due to Covid restrictions, it was not secure enough for the underage volunteers. There had been a high number of complaints during the lockdown however a low number of sales had been recorded as the sales are mostly made to familiar faces. An Education scheme had been drawn up to combat age restricted sales in premises which had been working well.

Members asked for clarification on the take up of the Driver Grants. Members were informed that the date for applications had closed on 4^th June with the remaining funds going beck to Central Government. Out of the 1300 Drivers licenced in Oldham, 1100 took up the Grants. Links to apply for the Grants were provided to Drivers in all emails from the service. It was noted that the Grants were well received, and a number of Drivers gave their thanks to the Officers.

Members queried vehicle testing and whether it was random or following a complaint. Members were informed that random testing was done in conjunction with the Police and a further exercise would be undertaken in the next 12 months. Depending on the nature of the complaints received, Officers would check the vehicles for breaches of the compliance test.

Members questioned how the plastic screens were advertised to Drivers. It was noted that, similar to the Grants, advertisement of the screens was sent out in emails and leaflets. Drivers could not be forced to have them; however, screens were still available for collection for Drivers to use.

RESOLVED that

1.    The report be noted.

2.    Implications of the report be considered in future licensing decisions.