Agenda and minutes

Venue: Rennes Room, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter

Contact: Mark Devin, Democratic Services Officer (Committees)  Telephone 01392 265477 or email  mark.devin@exeter.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

12.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2019.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2019 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct.

 

 

13.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item.  Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

 

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1976

LICENSING ACT 2003

14.

Consultation on the Licensing Act 2003 - Statement of Licensing Policy pdf icon PDF 71 KB

To consider the report of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Environmental Health and Licensing Manager presented the report which identified the need review the Council’s current Statement of Licensing Policy, following the legislative requirements. The report provided a draft proposal of the policy which would need to go out for a 12 week consultation. The responses of the consultation would be brought back to the Licensing Committee on the 29 October, to allow Members to consider the suggested amendments or variations received during the consultation period.

 

He referred Members to the timetable, outlined in the report, stating that the policy would need to be approved by January 2020. The policy contained some conditions and amendments, which had been assembled, following collaborative discussions with other Local Authorities across the whole of Devon, to ensure that there was a more consistent policy across the region.

 

Members were informed that Devon and Cornwall Constabulary had also submitted a request to maintain the Cumulative Impact Area in the City and had submitted statistical information to the Licensing Authority, justifying their reasoning, following legislative requirements. The Environmental Health and Licensing Manager asked for Member approval for the commencement of the 12 week consultation.

 

The Chair informed Members that the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary had been invited to the Licensing Committee to answer questions from Members, but had been unable to attend.

 

In response to questions from Members, the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager explained that:-

 

·         The Cumulative Impact Area was the same area and shape as the one in the existing Policy. Potential changes to the area were considered when the data was reviewed, but the data suggested that the area should remain the same;

 

·         The consultation process would involve writing a letter to all responsible authorities, with a link, directing them to the consultation. Other Licensees are informed, but not specifically written to and the consultation will be highlighted on the Exeter City Council website;

 

·         An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA), would be undertaken, following completion of the consultation and would include positive contributions to the final policy;

 

·         The Environmental Health and Licensing Manager highlighted that a number of positive changes in the city had taken place since the current statement of licensing policy was adopted which included, having more restaurants and a higher footfall in the city between shops closing and the commencement of the night time economy. However the Licensing Authority had concerns about crime and disorder being caused by preloading;

 

·         Police resources were stretched, but they couldn’t predict the demand on them. The Police would respond to different call outs, and some nights were busier than others across the region, impacting their resource allocation. Exeter is exceptionally lucky to have a dedicated group pf Police Special Constables, who had provided a great  means of support to the city in a voluntary capacity;

 

·         The day and night offences shown in the report, highlighting a rise in the early hours of a Sunday, would in actuality be for the late Saturday evening time period.

 

The Chair proposed to recommend the request of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.