To
submit the report of the Head of Regulatory Department
Minutes:
Submitted –
the report of the Licensing Manager. The
report’s background information was set, noting the need for all licensing
authorities to publish their licensing policy statement every 5 years in line
with Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003. Each authority would review its
policy, making any amendments considered appropriate within the five year
period.
In the
context of Gwynedd Council, it was noted that the existing policy had been approved
by the Full Council on 16 December 2010, and the five year period would come to
an end on 6 January 2016. A suitable consultation period would be implemented
prior to deciding on and publishing a new policy.
It was
highlighted that, as part of the Public Protection collaboration project across
north Wales, a Task Group had been established to create a 'general' licensing
policy statement across north Wales. The policy’s ‘Content’ structure had been
agreed upon, but, due to the impact of economic and social factors on every
authority, it was explained that every statement had been worded differently
and was therefore relevant to a specific area.
In terms of
the format of the new draft policy, it was explained that detailed
consideration had been given to facilitating the reader’s perception of the
information. Sections and sub-sections had been created to provide additional
information on matters and powers that had come to power since the existing
policy had been adopted in 2010 (an example of this was the Early Morning
Restriction Orders and the Late-Night Levy). In addition, it was highlighted
that the wording of the policy had been adapted to refer to current legislation
(an example of this was that the definition of regulated entertainment had been
significantly adapted following the Live Music Act 2012 and the Deregulation
Act 2015) and that the licensing objectives had been promoted throughout the
policy.
In terms of
formal consultation arrangements (which would be open for 21 days), it was noted
that the policy would be shared with;
• North Wales Police
• North Wales Fire and Rescue Service
• Betsi
Cadwaladr University Health Board
• People/Bodies who represented the
county's businesses and residents
• People/Bodies who represented
existing licence/certificate holders
• Councillors, Community Councils and
responsible authorities
• Siop
Gwynedd and the Gwynedd Council website
It was
highlighted that there were no controversial matters in the policy and
therefore a vast number of responses was not expected.
Following a
discussion, the following observations were noted:
Welcome
good collaboration with officers from the North to ensure a structure to the
statement
Welcome the
fact that an equality assessment had been distributed
Welcome that
child protection had been included in the statement
Welcome the
fact that the statement was easy to read and that the main matters had been
highlighted.
The
Licensing Manager was thanked for her work of updating and amending the
statement.
RESOLVED
APPROVE THE
RIGHT FOR THE HEAD OF THE REGULATORY DEPARTMENT TO COMMENCE A STATUTORY
CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT LICENSING POLICY STATEMENT.
THAT A
REPORT IS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THIS COMMITTEE ON 1 DECEMBER 2015, WHICH WILL
HIGHLIGHT THE RESPONSES RECEIVED AND SO THAT THE COMMITTEE CAN CONSIDER CHANGES
TO THE DRAFT LICENSING POLICY STATMENT ACCORDING TO THE NEED.
FOLLOWING
RECEIVING APPROVAL FROM THIS COMMITTEE, SUBMIT THE NEW LICENSING POLICY
STATEMENT FOR THE FULL COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION ON 10 DECEMBER 2015
Supporting documents: