Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Place concerning the consultation on the Draft Revised Licensing Policy Statement and seeking the adoption of the final document.

To consider the report of the Head of Place, which presents to members the results of the consultation on the Draft Revised Licensing Policy Statement and

recommends that members agree to a final draft version of the Licensing Policy Statement for adoption by Council at the meeting to be held on the 29th January 2021.

The Licensing Lead presented the report of the Head of Place. The report presented to members the result of the consultation on the Draft Revised Licensing Policy Statement. The report also asked members to agree to a final draft version of the Licensing Policy Statement for adoption by Council at the meeting to be held on the 29th January 2021.

Councillor Tracey pointed to paragraph 3.13 of the report, which mentioned that Richard Graham MP had made comments concerning “Off-licenses selling alcohol to people that appear to be under the influence of alcohol”. She questioned whether the term “Off-licenses” should be changed because other premises also sell alcohol.

The Chair replied that it was a duty of any premise that had a licence to sell alcohol to ensure that they do not sell it to somebody visibly intoxicated. 

The Licensing Lead stated that the issue that Richard Graham MP had raised was in relation to a few areas where there had been issues with some off-licenses. He added that whether it was an off-licence or a pub, the Licensing team had a legal power to ‘review’ any premise that was in breach of licensing rules.

Councillor D. Brown stated that he was surprised that only two consultees replied during the consultation period.

The Licensing Lead replied that the policy statement was sent to a comprehensive list of people/premises. He added that consultation on the previous Licensing Policy Statement in 2015 had only generated three responses.

RESOLVED that the Licensing and Enforcement Committee APPROVE the Licensing Policy Statement and RECOMMEND that:

(1)  The revised Licensing Policy Statement – Licensing Act 2003, is approved and adopted by the Council.