Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report setting out recent, forthcoming and proposed changes to the various regimes under the remit of the licensing section.  The Senior Specialist Licensing Officer provided a summary of the key issues and changes.

Members were provided with a summary of the key changes following the deregulation of certain activities (including music), the detail of which was set out in Essential Reference Paper “B” of the report submitted.  The Senior Specialist Licensing Officer provided clarification following a number of queries regarding the playing of live and amplified music between 8am and 11pm. 

The Senior Specialist Licensing Officer detailed the ongoing work in relation to the Site Management Agreement (SMA) with the Professional Fundraising Regulation Association (PFRA) to control direct debit collections throughout the District and specifically referred to the difficulties in Ware and its narrow roads along the High Street. 

The Senior Specialist Licensing Officer explained the days allocated for direct debit and cash collection arrangements and how the dates for the different types of collections had been arrived at.  

A number of Members also expressed concern about the narrowness of some of the roads in Ware and particularly the south side of the High Street and of the dangers of pedestrians being forced into the road in trying to avoid direct debit collectors.   Members also referred to the added danger of cars parking on pavements on the south side of the High Street.  The Senior Specialist Licensing Officer acknowledged Members’ concerns and sought advice from Members regarding any preferred change in the wording of the draft SMA to address this issue.  He suggested that Members agree that he sign the SMA and to review the matter again, should any problems arise.

It was noted that Sawbridgeworth had not been included within the Site Management Agreement.  The Chairman suggested that the SMA be signed and to review the matter if a problem arose.  This was supported.

The Senior Specialist Licensing Officer referred to the ongoing discussions with Hertfordshire County Council in relation to an agency agreement for the Council to take over the licensing of pavement licences.  He referred to the a number of complaints which had been received regarding tables and chairs being placed on the highway and of the joint visits being arranged to review the problems. 

In response to a query from Councillor D Andrews regarding alcohol being bought on licensed premises but consumed off the premises, i.e. on a table outside, the Senior Specialist Licensing Officer explained the legal position.  In response to a query from Councillor J Jones regarding pavement licences and their public display, the Senior Specialist Licensing Officer commented that a licence, when issued, would need to be displayed.  He stated that he had established a single point of contact for complaints about tables and chairs on the public highway and this was Paul Chaplain (Licensing and Enforcement Officer at Hertfordshire County Council).

In response to a comment from Councillor D Andrews regarding pavement revenue, the Senior Specialist Licensing Officer confirmed that there was a potential valuable revenue stream in issuing pavement licences and of the need to calculate appropriate fees and charges on a cost recovery basis.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.