Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs T L Ellis, Mrs K Mandry and Mrs K K Trott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Committee held on 31 May 2016.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee held on 31 May 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman thanked members of the Committee for attending the Licensing training which took place prior to the meeting.

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

In accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct, Councillor Mrs Bryant declared a non-pecuniary interest for minute 6 – Police Update as she is a member of the management board of Dickson House Probation Service Bail Hostel.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

The Panel received a deputation from Mr P Rogerson, representing the Fareham Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association, concerning agenda item 8 – Review of Hackney Carriage Fares. He was thanked accordingly for his deputation.

To receive an update from PC Jason Pearce of Hampshire Constabulary on Police Licensing Arrangements.

The committee received a verbal report from PC Jason Pearce on Police Licensing Arrangements.

Councillor Mrs Bryant declared a Non-Pecuniary interest on this item as she is a member of the management board of Dickson House Probation Service bail hostel.

Members were advised that the police are continuing to work closely with the local neighbourhood team to identify and tackle emerging issues at an early stage.  The Fareham night time economy continues to enjoy low levels of crime following the significant reductions that were achieved 4 years ago as a result of all licenced premises in the town centre closing by 1am.

PC Pearce highlighted that the primary issue over the last year has been the increasing number of street drinkers in the town centre. Over a third of all anti-social behaviour crimes and incidents in the town centre are attributable to street drinkers, despite significant resources having been made available across the County to tackle the issue and identify tactics to disperse these groups.  In Fareham, the Police Licensing team has had some success with a campaign to encourage premises not to stock high alcohol content drinks that the street drinkers favour.  Premises that fail to engage are identified and as a result of consistent lack of co-operation, one has very recently had their premises license revoked.

PC Pearce also highlighted disappointing results in test purchases that have been carried out across Fareham this year.  Despite the Challenge 25 policy that has been implemented across the borough, 11 out of 40 test purchases resulted in failure. Some test purchases resulted in multiple failures and these have led to police seeking significant sanctions on the premises’ licences.

In response to Members’ enquiries regarding factors contributing to the increase in street drinkers in the town centre, PC Pearce advised that the 101 Shelter in Gosport Road and the Dickson House probation service bail hostel in Trinity Street are having some effect.   

The Chairman advised that the majority of residents in Dickson House have moved out of prison on licence. Use of alcohol is strictly prohibited and offenders are removed from the premises if they do not comply.  Anti-social behaviour issues relating to Dickson House are more to do with offenders remaining in Fareham at the end of their probation period rather than returning to where they lived prior to offending.

Members commended the Police Licensing Team on the excellent work they are doing under such adverse resourcing conditions but raised concern that resources are being diverted from local areas to deal with Town Centre issues.

RESOLVED that PC Pearce be thanked for his verbal report.

To receive a report by the Head of Environmental Health on Actual Revenue Expenditure for 2015/16.

The committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health on Actual Revenue Expenditure 2015/16.

In response to questions from Members, the Head of Democratic Services outlined how the Election Services budget is affected by the phasing of funding received via the Electoral Claims Unit.  Following a sustained period of change since 2010, it should now be possible for future accounts to be prepared based on an analysis and understanding of election expenditure so that a more stable budget position is created.

RESOLVED that the Committee notes the content of the report.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Review of Hackney Carriage Fares.

At the agreement of the Chairman, this item was moved before item 7 in order to consider the deputation made in Minute 5.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the review of Hackney Carriage Fares.

The Panel received a deputation referred to in Minute 5 above.

RESOLVED that the Committee recommends that the Executive approve the following changes:-

1)    that the fee for ‘Passengers picked up at Fareham Station’ be increased from 60p to £1; and

2)    that the statement ‘For each dog (except assistance dogs)  10p’  be replaced with ‘Assistance dogs must be carried free of charge unless the driver has a current exemption in place to do so’.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Democratic Services in respect of the Consultation from the Boundary Commission for England following the Parliamentary Boundary Review.

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Democratic Services about the Boundary Commission for England’s Parliamentary Boundary Review.

The presentation highlighted the proposed reduction in constituencies in the South East region from 84 to 83 by incorporating the exiting Meon Valley constituency into Winchester, East Hampshire and Fareham.  This will involve the inclusion of the Winchester Whiteley ward into Fareham.

The presentation also outlined the remaining stages of the review process, including the opportunity to make representations on the proposals during the 12 week consultation period that will run until 5 December 2016. Legislation specifies that final recommendations must be implemented by September 2018.

Fareham Borough Council’s formal consultation response will be submitted following the Council meeting on 13 October 2016.

In discussing the item, the Committee commented that it was largely in support of the Boundary Commission’s proposal and agreed with the logic of taking the whole of Whiteley into the Fareham Constituency.

The Committee was pleased to note that the 2018 review does not split Fareham (as per previous proposals) but noted concern that the calculations do not take into account plans for future housing developments and therefore a rise in electorate numbers

RESOLVED that the Committee thanks the Head of Democratic Services for her informative presentation and refers its comments to Council for consideration.  

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Committee’s Work Programme for 2016/17.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Committee’s work programme for 2016/17.

RESOLVED that the Committee:-

(a)  notes the progress on actions arising from the meeting of the Committee held on 31 May 2016, as shown in Appendix A to the report; and

(b)  that the Work Programme for 2016/17, attached as Appendix B to the report be approved.