Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 15 April 2021 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

The Order of the Court of Common Council dated 15 April 2021 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference 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. Sophie Fernandes, being the only Member indicating a willingness to serve, was elected Chairman for the ensuing year. The Chairman thanked Members for their support.

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

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. Shravan Joshi, being the only Member indicating a willingness to serve, was elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year. The Deputy Chairman thanked the Committee for their continued confidence.

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 five Members declared a willingness to serve on the Reference Sub Committee and to serve as Sub Committee Chairmen: Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark, Michael Hudson, Caroline Addy, Graham Packham and James Tumbridge. The Committee agreed to increase the number of Members from four to five and a ballot was therefore not required.

RESOLVED – That the Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee Chairmen and the Reference Sub Committee for 2021/22 comprise of the following Members:

• Sophie Fernandes (Chairman)
• Shravan Joshi (Deputy Chairman)
• Kevin Everett (Past Grand Committee Chairman)
• Marianne Fredericks (Past Grand Committee Chairman)
• Peter Dunphy (Past Grand Committee Chairman)
• Michael Hudson
• Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark
• Caroline Addy
• James Tumbridge
• Graham Packham

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2021.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2021 were approved as a correct record.

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 & Consumer Protection.

Members considered a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection concerning the setting of the annual fees for those premises requiring a licence under the Gambling Act 2005. 

It was noted that the proposed fees would result in less income compared with previous years due to a reduction in the forecast for the number of gambling premises in the City of London. 

A Member noted reductions in the trade and queried if this was due to COVID or the growth of online betting shops. Members were advised that the change in trade was not COVID related, but was likely a result of the increase in online betting as this was more lucrative.

RESOLVED – That Members agree the proposed fees for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection.

Members considered a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection concerning the setting of the annual fees for those premises requiring a licence under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as a sex establishment.

It was noted that the proposed fees were the same as they were for 2020/21 and would not affect budget income targets as there were currently no premises in the City that had a Sex Establishment Licence.  

RESOLVED – That Members agree the proposed fees for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1.

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.

·         On 12 April, the Roadmap Lockdown Easing Step 2 was implemented and despite cold weather, the City’s outdoors hospitality has been busy with approximately 50 licenced premises open for al-fresco to date.

·         City Officers and the City of London Police have continued with their partnership approach of the 4 E’s: Engage, Explain, Encourage, Enforce and confirmed there had been a good level of compliance with the roadmap restrictions resulting in a safe and enjoyable experience. it was noted that some issues have arisen with vertical drinking, takeaway drinks resulting in gatherings and inside spaces being described and used as outdoor spaces, most of which have now been resolved.

·         Simple guidance documents have been provided to premises owners alongside seminars with colleagues in Public and Environmental Health.

·         Officers envisage significantly more activity in May when premises would be able to open up indoors and as more people return to work across the City.

·         Pavement licence applications have continued to be received, with 58 applications since the beginning of January 2021 adding to the existing 77 tables and chairs licences in operation. Businesses have been creative about how licensing can be used flexibly to expand their offering until restrictions are removed more fully.

·         To provide a proportionate decision-making tool for pavement licenses in light of CTSA advice, a decision matrix approach is currently being trialled to assist with an acceptable risk level. This will be taken to the Senior Security Board in June and the Planning & Transportation Committee for approval.

·         The City Corporation has continued to raise awareness of the Business Recovery Fund linked to the Covid Compliance Accreditation scheme which is

The Chief Superintendent, City of London Police to be heard.

The Committee received an oral update from the Chief Superintendent providing a general update on the City of London Police since the last meeting.

Members were informed that there was no report on violent crime at premises as all premises had been closed.

It was confirmed that the Police had continued to disseminate COVID guidance and engagement had been very positive. There was concern regarding the uplift in theft, but so far there had been no reports.

Members were advised there had been a number of public awareness events and were encouraged to attend an online event for general managers and SIA staff on 11 May. The Town Clerk agreed to share the details.

It was noted that there had been some issues concerning takeaway drinks and vertical drinking with the Police continuing to remind the public of the rules. Some premises had decided to stop takeaways as they could not manage the supply safely.

A policing plan is in place for premises viewing the upcoming Euros 2021, with four premises currently confirmed to showing the fixtures.

In response to a question concerning how many fines had been issued for breaches, Members were advised that only one had issued due to the premises consistently flouting vertical drinking rules after 3 engagements from officers.

Repot of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Members noted a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection providing an update on progress made during 2020/21 against the operational performance indicators (PIs) and improvement objectives outlined in the Business Plan of the Licensing Service.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Members noted a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services concerning the Director of Public Health annual report (DPHAR) for 2019/20.

Members were informed that substance and alcohol misuse was the main focus and there were six recommendations for interventions to avoid abuse and misuse. It was hoped that licensed premises would engage and respond to these recommendations.

RESOLVED – That Members note and comment on i) the recommendations within the DPHAR and ii) stakeholders to be involved in producing the response to the recommendations to be published as a follow up report.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

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

With regards to Appendix 3, Members were advised that inspections regarded the Licensing Act and not Covid legislation. it was confirmed that there had only been soft suspensions and no formal licence suspensions.

RECEIVED.

There were no questions.

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 3 February 2021.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2021 were approved as a correct record subject to one typo.

The Head of Relationships & Networks and the Cultural & Visitor Development Director to be heard.

Members are asked to note the Reopening Initiative, Recovery Taskforce and Recovery Promotional Campaign reports (Items 7, 8 and 9) which were approved by the Policy and Resources Committee on 8 April 2021 found here.

The Committee received an update from the Head of Relationships & Networks and the Cultural & Visitor Development Director concerning plans for reopening and recovery in the City.

To be read in conjunction with Item _.

The Committee received a non-public appendix report to the report under agenda item 15 pertaining to premises licenses which included the names of each premises.

There was one question.

There were no urgent items.