Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Kevin Everett, Graham Packham and James Tumbridge.

There were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 19 April 2018 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

The Order of the Court of Common Council dated 19 April 2018 appointing the Committee for the ensuing year was received.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No.29.

An election of Chairman was conducted in line with Standing Order 29. Peter Dunphy, being the only Member indicating a willingness to serve, was elected Chairman for the ensuing year.  

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

An election of Deputy Chairman was conducted in line with Standing Order 30. Sophie Anne Fernandes, being the only Member indicating a willingness to serve, was elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

To appoint four Members, in addition to the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Past

Grand Committee Chairmen, to chair Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee meetings

and serve on the Reference Sub Committee, for the ensuing year.

The Committee proceeded to appoint four Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee Chairmen for the ensuing year, in addition to the current Chairman and Deputy Chairman and Past Grand Committee Chairmen.

The following four Members declared a willingness to serve on the Reference Sub Committee and to serve as Sub Committee Chairmen: Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark, Michael Hudson, Deputy Keith Bottomley and Caroline Addy.

RESOLVED – That the Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee Chairmen and the Reference Sub Committee for 2018/19 comprise of the following Members:

• Peter Dunphy (Chairman)
• Sophie Fernandes (Deputy Chairman)
• Kevin Everett (Past Grand Committee Chairman)
• Marianne Fredericks (Past Grand Committee Chairman)
• Michael Hudson
• Deputy Jamie Ingham-Clark
• Deputy Keith Bottomley
• Caroline Addy

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2018.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2018 were approved as a correct record.

Matters arising

The Port Health & Public Protection Director advised Members that a resolution regarding a dedicated inbox for Members and/or members of the public was brought to the Policy & Resources Committee for consideration as recommended at the last meeting (see item 12 of the minutes). An out of hours service will be addressed once the relocation of the City Police has completed.

To receive the public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for Benk & Bo, 4-6 Gravel Lane, E1 7AW on Friday 20 April 2018.

The Committee were advised that the public minutes and decision notice of the hearing regarding the licensing application for ‘Benk & Bo Bakery Ltd’, 4-6 Gravel Lane, London, E1 7AW held on 20 April 2018 had not yet been finalised and would be circulated in due course.

The Chairman explained that the application was approved and that earlier hours plus no alcohol on Sunday were agreed as a compromise between the Applicant and Objectors providing a content outcome.

The Town Clerk noted that the planned hearing for ‘Oyster Shed’ on 27 April 2018 had been cancelled that morning as the Applicant had withdrawn their application.     

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection presenting the final 2018/19 Business Plan for the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Members were advised that this was a high-level business plan and that licensing reference items were mainly limited to pages 11 and 12. In response to a question regarding what the objectives were, Members were advised that there was a subsequent plan which sits underneath the 2018/19 Business Plan providing detailed targets.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection detailing the premises licences, and variations to premises licences, granted under the Licensing Act 2003 by the Licensing Service from 1 January 2018 to 31 March 2018.

In response to a query regarding inconsistencies in format in Appendix 1 on comments concerning “CCTV system” on pages 18, 20 and 21, Members were advised that the Applicant had used this wording in the proposal conditions in their original application. It was noted that there was an issue with just approving proposals when happy in the first instance rather than setting conditions.   

There was one question regarding the recent London Marathon event. A Member highlighted the detrimental effect of overcrowding to residents, the Police and members of the public at Trinity Square where a band performs each year. The traditionally family friendly atmosphere had been damaged by people arriving with large quantities of alcohol and poor behaviour had meant the City and Met Police were constantly needed in this area. It was noted that residents of Trinity Square commended City Police for how they handled the day but the huge amount of mess was concerning and the Member felt that feedback to the organisers was required and potentially a change of times to the area. The Chairman stated that the Committee were restricted only to licensing issues. It was noted that planning for this event comes through the Streets and Walkways Committee and they should be notified of safety concerns.    

Supplementary item -  Violent Crime from Licensed Premises

The Committee considered a report of the City of London Police regarding violent crime from licensed premises during the period 7 January to 7 April.

A Member was pleased that this report showed provided figured but felt that trends giving a year on year comparison would be beneficial.

Licensing training

The Chairman advised that based on responses from Members, the most suitable date for a full day certificated licensing training course was 1 June 2018 and full details on the course would be circulated to the Committee by the Town Clerk.  Members were encouraged to advise the Town Clerk if they wished to attend this course or if one-on-one training would be required on an alternative date.

In response to a query, Members were advised that new licensing guidance had come into effect as of April 2018 which must be followed. This would be covered in the training course and the new guidance circulated to Members for their information.

Ongoing agenda items

It was noted that the Comptroller and City Solicitor previously had an ongoing verbal update item on the agenda and that this should remain on every agenda.  

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 7 February 2018.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2018 were approved as a correct record.

There were no questions.

There were two non-public items of urgent business.