Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Englefield, T Davies and Mrs K K Trott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 30 March 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee meeting held on 30 March 2021 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 by the Head of Environmental Health which provides Members with an overview of the responsibilities of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee.

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Environmental Health and the Head of Democratic Services which outlined the role, responsibilities and functions of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee.  A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

During the discussion of this item it was agreed that further information in respect of the licensing of dog related services be made available to the Committee.  It was also agreed that further information relating to the Segensworth Business Improvement District be made available.

The Head of Environmental Health and the Head of Democratic Services were thanked for providing a very informative presentation.

RESOLVED that the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee notes the content of the presentation.

To consider a report by the Head of Democratic Services which provides Members with an update on the Boundary Commission 2023 Review of parliamentary constituency boundaries.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which outlined the proposals under the Boundary Commission for England’s 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies.

In considering the initial proposals being put forward for consultation by the Boundary Commission for England (BCE), the Committee felt very strongly that there would be a negative impact on Fareham’s identity and community cohesion  and would cause significant confusion for residents in having 3 MPs representing the Borough.

The Committee agreed that the alternative consultation response, as outlined at Appendix B to the report, was a far better proposal.  They commended Officers for producing it and were fully supportive of it, subject to the following amendments:

(i)     Paragraph 7 be amended to reflect the significant, natural topographical barrier that Portsdown Hill creates between Waterlooville and Fareham.

(ii)    The wording at paragraph 11 be strengthened to highlight that the early stages of the Local Government Boundary Review are now under way and that projected forecasts for growth at a local level will mean that the BCE review of parliamentary constituencies will be based on incorrect data and does not take into account any changes this is likely to bring.

(iii)   The table on pages 24 and 25 of the report which provides the proposed number of electors in the Gosport constituency be changed to show the individual elector numbers for FS3 and FS4 areas as well as the Stubbington ward electorate figures.

(iv)   The Gosport constituency data table be moved so that it is directly after the Fareham consistency data table to emphasise the local community link between the two Boroughs.  

RESOLVED that, subject to amendments (i) to (iv) outlined above, the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee recommends the revised consultation response, as outlined in Appendix B to the report, to Council for approval at its meeting on 29 July 2021.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Committee’s Work Programme for 2021/22.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health which outlined the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee’s Work Programme for 2021/22.

During discussion on this item it was noted that a presentation in respect of the Local Government Boundary Review is scheduled to be brought to the meeting of the Committee scheduled to take place in September.  The Head of Democratic Services advised that this would be followed up with a further report for the Committee to consider at the November meeting ahead of proposals being put forward for consideration at the Council meeting scheduled to take place in December.

RESOLVED that the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee:

(a)   notes the progress on actions arising from the meeting of the Committee held on 30 March 2021, as shown in Appendix A to the report;

(b)  agrees that an item in respect of the Local Government Boundary Commission Proposals be added to the agenda for the meeting scheduled to take place on 23 November 2021; and

(c)  subject to (b) above, agrees the updated Work Programme for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix B to the report.