Issue - meetings

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report that presented a draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy.  Members were advised that Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 required that the Licensing Authority determine its Licensing Policy and republish this document every 5 years.

The Licensing Manager advised that the Statement of Licensing Policy set out the principles that applied when the Authority exercised its functions under the Licensing Act 2003.  The act also required that the Statement of Licensing Policy be kept under review.

Members were advised that the current policy had been determined in January 2011 for a period of 3 years.  The Licensing Manager stated that Members must re-determine the Statement of Licensing Policy at Council by 31 January 2014.  Members were provided with a detailed summary of the proposed changes to the East Herts Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Licensing Manager emphasised that East Herts Council was now classed as a responsible authority by the Licensing Act 2003 and could therefore object to premises license applications or apply for reviews of premises licenses.  Members were advised that the Officers that dealt with such applications would have to be different from the Officers submitting reports to Licensing Sub–Committee.  

The Licensing Manager concluded that, in addition to the Police, Environmental Health were also now permitted to object to Temporary Event Notices (TENs).  Members were advised that both the Police and Environmental Health were now permitted to make their objections on the grounds of any of the 4 Licensing Objectives.

Councillor K Crofton suggested that, when Council approved the draft revised statement of Licensing Policy prior to 31 January 2014, this should be for a period of 5 years.  This was supported.  Members received the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received; and

(B)   Council be requested to approve the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy prior to 31 January 2014, for a period of 5 years.