Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor’s N R Gregory and A Mandry.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee held on 22 September 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee held on 22 September 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation from PC Jason Pearce of Hampshire Constabulary on the Police reorganisation with particular regard to Licensing arrangements.

The Committee received a verbal presentation from Jason Pearce on the changes to Licensing Arrangements for the Police that have occurred over the past 12 months.

He explained to the Committee that he has previously had the privilege to be the police licensing officer for just Fareham which has allowed him to be able to engage with all new premises licence holders, giving him the opportunity to build a good working relationship with them. He also stated that being responsible for just Fareham allowed him the time to be able to follow up on any incidents that occur.

He then went on to explain that there have been significant changes and challenges put upon the Police this year, and it has resulted in a change to his responsibilities in that he now covers a wider area of Hampshire, with the impact of this being that with his time being stretched, his main focus is on dealing with the high risk premises. In addition to this he is now the lead licensing officer for all festivals in the area, including the Victorious festival in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight Festival.

He finished his presentation be assuring the Committee that whilst there are challenging times ahead things still remain positive as they are now looking at new ways of working in order to continue to achieve a high standard of service.

RESOLVED that the Committee thanked Jason Pearce for his informative presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on Spending Plans for 2016/17.

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Committee’s Spending Plans for 2016/17.

Members discussed at length the proposal not to increase the discretionary fees despite the Medium Term Finance Strategy policy that the Executive approved, which stated that there would be a 5% increase on all fees and charges. The Management and Financial Accounting Manager addressed the Committee to confirm that whilst the Medium Term Finance Strategy does indicate that a 5% increase should be applied to fees and charges  the wording in the policy states that it will be applied ‘wherever possible’.

The Head of Environmental Health addressed the Committee and explained that the reason why there has been no increase to the fees and charges is to do with the partnership with Gosport, as they have a different approach to fees and charges. He explained that the aim is, through the Partnership working, to bring the fees for Fareham and Gosport Borough Council in line with each other. This however is going to take some time with lots of discussions between Fareham and Gosport.

Councillor Price suggested that the recommendation be approved, expect for the fees and charges for 2016/17, which will be brought back to the Committee at the January meeting.

RESOLVED that the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee agreed:-

(a)  the revised budget for 2015/16;

(b)  the base budget for 2016/17; and

(c)  to recommend the budget to Full Council for approval, with the exception of the fees and charges which will be brought back to the Committee in January.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the outcome of the consultation on the proposed amendment to private hire and hackney carriage licensing duration and fees.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the amendment to private hire and hackney carriage licensing duration and fees following the outcome of consultation.

RESOLVED that the Committee agreed:-

(a)  that the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Licenses fees be set as detailed in Appendix A to this report; and

(b)  that the fees be retrospectively applied to the 1 October 2015.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Review of the Licensing Policy.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health on a review of the Licensing Policy.

The Chairman passed her thanks onto the Licensing and Support Manager for her work in reducing the size of the document and for making it easier to read.

RESOLVED that the Committee agreed to:-

(a)  members’ views and comments be taken into account in considering the current Licensing Policy Consultation Document, attached as Appendix A to the report;

(b)  the consultation exercise on the Licensing Policy commence at this meeting and continue until 31 December 2015;

(c)  a further report on the Licensing Policy, which details outcomes from the consultation process, be presented to the Scrutiny Board on 14 January 2016 for further consultation;

(d)  that the policy then be presented to the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee for final drafting at its meeting on 26 January 2016; and then subsequently sent to the Executive at its meeting on 1 February 2016 to make its recommendation to Council; and

(e)  the approved Licensing Policy be recommended to the Council for adoption at the scheduled Council meeting on 19 February 2016.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Committee’s Work Programme for 2015/16.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Committee’s work programme for 2015/16.

Councillor Norris addressed the Committee on this item and requested that a report on Uber be brought to the Committee explaining how they operate and how they differ from normal taxi companies. The Head of Environmental Health suggested that it be included into the Work Programme for the March 2016 meeting.

He also reminded members that an additional item is to be included onto the work programme for the January 2016 meeting on the Committee’s Spending Plans in relation to Fees and Charges, as previously agreed at minute 7 above.

RESOLVED that the Committee:-

(a)  note the progress on actions arising from the meeting of the Committee held on 22 September 2015, as shown in Appendix A of the report;

(b)  subject to the addition of a report on Fees and Charges to the January meeting and a report on Uber to the March meeting, the Work Programme for 2015/16 be approved.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health on Gambling – Statement of Principles.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the draft revised statement of principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

The Head of Environmental Health addressed the Committee and explained that the document has been significantly shortened in the hope that it will be more user friendly. He also informed the Committee that the contents page currently does not match the rest of the document but this will be revised prior to the document being put out for consultation.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)  the draft revised statement of principles be approved for the purposes of statutory consultations; and

(b)  that a further report setting out the feedback and responses from the consultation be presented to the Committee at its meeting on 26 January 2016 prior to the revised Statement of Principles being recommended to Council for adoption at its meeting on 19 February 2016.