Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Anthony Fitzpatrick, Michael Hudson, David Sales, and Jason Pritchard.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2024.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 8 February 2024, be approved as correct record, subject to the amendment of typographical errors which were sent in advance of the meeting.

To receive the public minutes of the licensing hearing in respect of the following premises:

a) Easy Shop & Go, 148 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BU – 24 January 2024

b) Townhouse, 10-11 Great New St, EC4A 3BN – 01 March 2024

The Committee received the minutes from the Licensing (Hearing) Sub-Committee in respect of the premises Easy Shop & Go, 148 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BU, on the 24 January 2024, and of the premises Townhouse, 10-11 Great New St, EC4A 3BN, on the 01 March 2024.

RECEIVED.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor to be heard.

The Comptroller & City Solicitor advised the Committee that there had been no appeals against Licensing (Hearing) Sub-Committee decisions.

RECEIVED

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment Department.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Interim) Environment, on the Delegated decisions of the Executive Director Environment pertaining to premises licences.

A Member highlighted that The Tipperary was noted in the report as being in Farringdon Without Ward, but in fact it was in Castle Baynard.

The Member also asked that, in the table which contained a number of complaints, that the date as well as the time the complaints be logged and for this to be included in the report in future, so the Committee could have sight of this. Officers would look to include this in the report going forward.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Interim Executive Director Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Interim Executive Director Environment, on the on the legislative provisions of the Late-Night Levy (the Levy), setting out the rules on the maximum fees that can be charged and information on discounts available and how these link to best practice schemes like the City of London Safety Thirst scheme (the Scheme).

The Chairman had commissioned this report so that newer Members of the Committee could see how the purpose and importance the Late Night levy, so that the whole Committee had a clear understanding of what this was and how it works in practice and within the law.

A Member thanked the Chairman for the report, and asked whether there would be a review of the City’s late-night practices and policies in the future, to keep up with social changes and or any changes with regards to Destination City. The Chairman agreed we would always keep things under review.  He also explained that as the report was now received and it included all the relevant detail, they were now able to discuss this with officers on what the next steps could be to ensure best practice. Officers had reported that the scheme currently in place was suitable and appropriate, and it compared well to others, however, by keeping an appropriate periodic view on the this, the Committee could keep a watching brief on any new schemes that may be worth looking into.

A Member highlighted the issues of cleanliness born of the nighttime economy and the impacts on costs. The Member added that with regards to premises and the levy charges, premises could obtain a 30% discount if they would take part in the Safety Thirst scheme. The member considered the Levy was seen as a fair way for premises to contribute to

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 Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police containing data for Quarter 1 2024, in relation to the nighttime economy, offences recorded by the police and discloses police operations. It also received a spiking profile from April 2023 to March 2024, which had been commissioned by the Committee at its meeting in October 2023.

To be read in conjunction with item 6 on the agenda.

The Committee received a non-public appendix relating to item 6 on the Delegated decisions of the Executive Director Environment pertaining to premises licences.

A question was asked with regards to the ongoing work taking place in preparation for the Olympics, with regards to having more outside events and ensuring businesses were not impacted. The Member also extended their thanks for their work during the London Marathon, which ensure accessible viewing and provided a friendly family atmosphere for residents, which showed that the public service protection space order was working, and that the no drinking order meant residents could enjoy the event.

The Committee noted engagement had commenced with places who were looking to have outdoor screens. The EC bid was looking at outdoor activity, with emerging planning and future planning teams assisting, however this was not affecting licensing now. With regards to the Public Service Protection orders, it was suggested that the Committee may want to look at this in the future as potential mitigation if drinking outside become more prominent.

There were no items of urgent business.