Agenda item

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. 

The Town Clerk reported that, in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. (3) (a), the immediate past Chairman had chosen to exercise her right to serve as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

Marianne Fredericks was therefore duly appointed as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

         VOTE OF THANKS TO THE PAST CHAIRMAN

Deputy John Barker paid tribute to Marianne Fredericks, the past Chairman.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: 

THAT at the conclusion of her three year term of office as their Chairman, the Members of this Board wish to extend to:

MARIANNE BERNADETTE FREDERICKS

their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the dedication she has shown in all aspects of work of this Committee and the exemplary manner in which she has presided over their proceedings during the last three years as the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

SHE has been very active in the work of the Committee (often accompanying Officers on visits to licensed premises in the early hours of the morning) and has also shown great leadership in steering the Committee through a period of change including the introduction of the controversial Late Night Levy which now generates in excess of £430,000 per annum, all of which is ring-fenced for future investment in the policing of City’s night-time economy.

UNDER Ms Frederick’s chairmanship, the tenth anniversary of the Licensing Act was celebrated. The Chairman organised a panel debate and reception at Mansion House to mark the occasion and also showed exceptional foresight in using this occasion to formally launch the London Licensing Forum, an informal body, designed to bring together members from across London’s licensing authorities to create a combined voice, share best practice and engage with policymakers.

DURING her tenure, just short of thirty licensing hearings took place, including six reviews, however, January 2015 to December 2015 saw a period of eleven months with no hearings at all.   This is undoubtedly a measure of the Committee’s hard work and push for more pro-active engagement with licenced premises under Ms Frederick’s chairmanship.

THROUGHOUT her term of office, Marianne Fredericks has managed the Committee’s deliberations with a fair and firm hand to ensure that the Committee executed its duties in a competent manner. 

FINALLY, in congratulating their former Chairman upon a most successful term of office, her colleagues wish to thank her for her enthusiasm and commitment and to express the hope that with continued good health and happiness she can continue to serve the City Corporation for many years to come.

The Deputy Chairman thanked the Committee and all Officers for their support during her Chairmanship. She added that the Committee as a whole should be proud of what had been achieved over the past three years.