Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection seeking approval for the revised Licensing Policy. The Chairman recommended Members focus on the main body of the report, as much of the content of the appendices, including the chairs and tables policy, fell outside the Committee’s remit but they had been included with the Report to ensure that Members of the Committee had as full a picture as possible.

The Director informed the Committee that the policy was still draft, and was due to include three extra sections:

-       A glossary of terms as requested in a previous meeting.

-       A section on the live music act (to be included in exemptions).

-       A section on unclassified films, and the remit of the Committee to determine the recommended age restriction

A document was tabled setting out representations from residents of the Barbican estate, alongside the response from the Comptroller. The Committee considered both documents and agreed with the recommendations of the Comptroller that legal restrictions prevented them from adopting most of the residents’ proposals.

A Member queried whether receiving four responses to the Consultation was considered to be effective consultation. Officers confirmed that, although the response had been disappointing, it could be seen as a positive sign, indicating that the proposed policy and the relationship with the license holders was good.

The Deputy Chairman made the following points in relation to the policy:

-       Key points, including the availability of a pre-application service, the expectation of the Corporation as laid out in paragraph 39 and the requirement for the covering letter to be full and detailed, should be highlighted.  “Evidence based” should also be emboldened.

-       Reinforce that outside drinking could be considered a nuisance and signpost readers to the appendix on the policy.

-       Consideration be given to including a requirement for stickers showing a venue’s capacity, to be placed at entrances.

-       The planning department to give further advice on the installation of permanent barriers.

-       It should be made clear on the website which Committees are responsible for which area of the Policy.

Members debated the best way to handle the appendices going forward. It was agreed that they should not be included in the agenda for the January meeting of the Court of Common Council (to which the Policy was intended to be presented), but should be readily available to Members who wished to view them. Similarly the Policy should be a stand-alone document on the website, but links to the most current versions of the policies in the appendices should be included.

The Committee wished to minute their thanks to Sylvia Moys, CC for proof reading the Policy.

RESOLVED – That the Committee recommend the policy document to the Court of Common Council for their approval.