Agenda item

To submit the report of the Head of Regulatory Department

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