Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Jon Fletcher.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2020.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2020 were approved as a correct record.

Members noted the public minutes of the George & Vulture hearing on 16 June 2020.

Members were advised that this was the first City Corporation virtual hearing and some connectivity issues meant that the public live stream went down a few times during the Hearing. This was ultimately resolved, and the Hearing was able to conclude. It was recommended that callover be made longer and that participants be asked not to use the chatbox to make representations as this was not visible to those watching live.

Members were advised that the Dabbers Social Bingo Hearing scheduled for 2 July 2020 was cancelled following an agreement as a result of further negotiations. The representation submitted by the City of London Corporation’s Public Health team was withdrawn as the issues raised were addressed by the Applicant.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor to be heard.

The Comptroller & City Solicitor advised the Committee that there were currently no appeals.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection concerning the significant changes that would be introduced by the Business and Planning Bill 2020 once it received Royal Assent and outlining a new ‘Al Fresco’ Policy aimed at facilitating the introduction of these changes. The following comments were made:

·         Members were advised that the Business and Planning Bill included a range of measures intended to support the economic recovery from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. The measures were intended to encourage the use of outside space where the risks of Covid-19 transmission were lower whilst extending limited internal capacities.

·         A temporary fast-tracked pavement licensing regime was proposed and approved at the Planning & Transportation Committee yesterday; however, the deregulation of off-sales fell under the remit of the Licensing Committee.

·         It was noted that there may be some minor amendments by Officers to the policy as the third reading of the Bill was due on 20 July 2020 in the House of Lords. This included time limiting the off-sales provisions as the current proposal was for the off-sales to run alongside the existing licence irrespective of what time the terminal hour is.

·         The pavement licensing element required urgency as the provisions and off-sales would come into force on the day the Bill was passed. Each application has deemed consent so the City Corporation must be ready with a published policy, conditions, delegated authorities, online applications and payments to quickly accept and consider applications to support its businesses.

·         A Member queried why the proposal was for 3-month licenses and if this was a recommendation of the Government. Members were advised that the 3-month pavement licence period was at the City Corporation’s discretion, but Officers were operating cautiously due to the medieval street patterns of

Oral update on the latest position.

The Committee received an oral update from the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection providing Members with an update on the current situation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Members were advised that the hospitality sector was gradually increasing with 30 premises reopening on 4 July 2020 which had since increased to 40-50 premises. Footfall on the streets remained significantly lower than average with approximately 1,000 people a week.

It was noted that due to the knock-on effects of Covid-19, it was deemed inappropriate to host the annual Safety Thirst awards event for 2020/21 and this would roll over until next year.

With regards to the traffic light scheme, Officers advised that all premises were closed from 23 March during lockdown. Members agreed that premises in the Red or Amber zone could not be let off the hook and points should carry over to skip the period all premises were closed with the scheme to recommence as normal.

A Member felt that it was important to help struggling businesses and enquired how the City Corporation could promote and advertise the open premises to City residents. A Member noted that the City information Centre had reopened and could publicise the open premises. Officers confirmed that this information could be shared to promote externally.

Report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Members considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection comparing the revenue outturn for the services overseen by the Committee in 2019/20 with the final budget for the year. It was noted that additional information was circulated following a query from a Member.

Members were advised that overall total net expenditure during the year was £191,000 whereas the total budget was £124,000, representing an overspending of £67,000.

A Member queried what was covered within the £180k under total premises, street trading & other. Members were informed this included any loss on standard premises licence fees which were nationally set and therefore did not reflect the local cost and non-recoverable statutory work.

A Member was concerned by different budgets being presented to the Committee and requested that all information be included within reports with full explanations from the start. Members discussed changing budgets and Officers confirmed that that the Standing Orders permitted revised budgets. Whilst it was acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic had had a serious impact on budgets across all departments meaning they all would be readjusted, there was a difference between adjustments and carry forwards. A Member recommended taking this up with the Finance Committee. Officers advised that carry forwards were allowed and measured against final budgets.

RESOLVED – That Members note the report and the proposed carry forward of underspendings to 2020/21.

Report of the Chief Superintendent, City of London Police.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Superintendent regarding violent crime from licensed premises during the period April 2020 – June 2020 and a yearly update comparing 2018 to 2019.

Members were informed that the only crimes that took place at licenced premises during this period were two burglaries.

In response to a query by a Member, Officers confirmed that “VAP” meant violence against person. The Member requested that an information box be included with relevant acronyms, etc.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Chief Superintendent, City of London Police.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Chief Superintendent providing Members with a breakdown of the spending of the Late Night Levy from the City of London Police.

Members were advised that there was no report as there had been no changes since the previous meeting. Officers noted that there was confusion as to how regularly this update should be brought to the Committee which had varied in the past. The Town Clerk confirmed that the report conflicted with the City Corporation’s own financial update as they ran on a different schedule causing confusion for the Committee’s annual report.

The Deputy Chairman recommended a bi-annual update to provide less reporting burden on the Police which could review the last year and the current year. Members were reminded that the Committee had no control over how the Police spent their portion of the Late Night Levy. The Chairman added that there should be joint up reporting between the Police and City Corporation for the end of year accounts. Members supported this approach.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

(N.B. – To be read in conjunction with the non-public appendix at Item 16).

The Committee noted a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection regarding the delegated decisions of the Director pertaining to premises licences.

RECEIVED.

A Member questioned how the City Corporation could support the emerging sector using its communications and social media presence noting that the Corporation had 43k followers. Members agreed that a report at the next meeting on what promotion was happening and what could be used going forward would be productive. Officers agreed to follow up with the Comms Team on this update.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2020.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2020 were approved as a correct record.

To be read in conjunction with Item 11.

The Committee received a non-public appendix report to the report under agenda item 11 pertaining to premises licenses which included the names of each premises.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.