Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2020.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2020 were approved as a correct record.

The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection to be heard.

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 and noted the Institute of Licensing’s Protocol for  licence applications and hearings under the Licensing Act 2003 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Members were advised that the unprecedented pandemic had brought a number of questions and challenges for the City Corporation who have continued to act with pragmatism in line with Government, LGA and Institute of Licensing guidance. Key issues to particularly affect the City included annual fees, variations and support for local businesses.

Fees

There were calls from a number of areas including the GLA for Licensing Authorities to provide a reduction, suspension or holiday for licence application fees. This fee is mandatory under Section 55A of the Licensing Act and Licensing Authorities are required under the terms of the Act to suspend licences following non-payment of the annual fee. However, the date on which that suspension takes effect is discretionary and the City Corporation is allowing some flexibility and time to pay the fee without enforcement action. An advisory note to licensees is also being sent with the invoices.

Members were reminded that any change to this would require Government intervention which was a similar position for the Late Night Levy (LNL).

In terms of numbers for fee payments since lockdown began, Members were advised that:

-       March: 43 invoices were issued and 32 paid (73%) with no requests for deferral;

-       April: 54 invoices were issued and 24 paid (44%) with two requests for deferral;

-       May: 61 invoices were issued and18 paid (30%) with five requests for deferral.

This reflected a clear downward trend of businesses paying; however, it was highlighted that no reminders or suspension notices

The Comptroller and City Solicitor to be heard.

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

A Member queried if there had been any licensing related issues in the City during lockdown. Members were advised that licensing operation within the City had been generally quiet since lockdown was imposed with Tesco and Marks & Spencer being the predominant only trade. However, public cleansing, the Highways and Licensing teams and City of London Police had remained in operation.

It was noted that within the past 48 hours, there had been an issue at one licensed premises on the curtilage of the Bloomberg Arcade which had off-sales included within its licence. This had a core effect on the local area as a group of patrons purchasing alcoholic drinks had been moved onto the public highway. The City of London Police were involved and been in communications with the Licensee.

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 5 February 2020.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2020 were approved as a correct record.

The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection to be heard.

The Committee received a non-public 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.