Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in relation to the Late Night Levy consultation proposals was considered. The report explained that the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 had introduced the power for licensing authorities to impose a late night levy in the City. Within the legislation there was a proposal to consult on various matters relating to a proposed levy prior to its introduction. The report expanded on the introductory report put before the Committee on 22 October 2012 as the regulations had now been introduced. 

Agreement was sought on the consultation of the proposals to introduce a Late Night Levy and outlined the proposed areas for consultation and those persons it was felt should be included as consultees. The Assistant Director (Environmental Health & Public Protection) explained that those who would be consulted would include the City of London Police, the City Corporation’s Police Committee and the holders of relevant late night authorisations. The consultation document would also be circulated to a minimum of six local resident groups and the Safer City Partnership.

A discussion took place on the statutory fee and it was noted that this was determined by the band the property fell in and could potentially be four times the amount of the licence fee.

In response to a question by a Member in relation to Early Morning Restriction Order’s (EMRO’s) the Assistant Director (Environmental Health & Public Protection) reported that as this Committee had decided that it did not wish to consider enforcing EMRO’s this would not impact on the levy.

It was noted that the levy aimed to encourage premises to focus on the hours applied for and if the premises decided to open during late night hours they would contribute towards the cost of policing.

In response to a question it was noted that no other Licensing Authority had the levy in force and that if the City Corporation implemented the levy in October 2013 it was likely to be one of the first in the country.

RESOLVED – That Members agree the areas which should be consulted upon (paragraphs 10 – 15) and the list of consultees (paragraphs 7 and 8) subject to the above amendments.