Agenda item

Report of the Port Health & Public Protection Director, Markets & Consumer Protection

The Group received a report of the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection that contributed to the work of the Safer City Partnership through its Public Protection Service.

The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection explained that tackling of illegal street trading had been a success.

The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection explained that the spend of the Late Night Levy was being reviewed, with feedback to come to the Group in due course.

The Chairman asked whether the Safety Thirst scheme was targeted, and The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection explained that they were working in cooperation with the CoLP to improve management of the scheme.  The Chairman asked if certain sites were being targeted, and this was also confirmed.  The Chairman of the Licensing Committee explained that the number of award recipients was the same as in the previous year, though with a higher attendance.  He noted that the issue was one of significant importance to attendees.  He also explained that premises receiving the best awards had been identified in the past by the traffic light scheme, illustrating that there has been very good progress.

The Director of Community & Children's Services asked whether small instances such as the selling of cigarettes to youths were being picked up.  The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection confirmed that any intelligence received was followed up on, and asked partners to please make these cases be known when they arise.

The Chairman noted that noise complaints had been reduced, and asked if there was any understanding of why this was the case.  The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection explained that effective work had been carried out to reduce noise complaints, and a significant number of those enduring were related to construction projects, for which they were currently looking into resolutions for.  The Chairman of Licensing Committee agreed that construction projects were significant contributors, but also explained that approximately 20% of complaints were in relation to licenced premises.  He explained that many of those such complaints were associated with promoted events at licenced premises, the number of which taking place has now been reduced.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.