Issue - meetings

The Head of Community Safety and Health Services submitted a report updating Members on the progress of promoting health and wellbeing within the Statement of Licensing Policy. 

The Head of Community Safety and Health Services provided a summary of the report.  He stated that Jim McManus, Director of Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council, had contributed to the development of the Draft Licensing Policy.  He had also facilitated obtaining Counsel’s Opinion which had identified a gap in the policy in terms of the need to provide data on specific licenced premises in the District and how this could impact on public health when considering licensing applications.

In response to a query from Councillor A Alder, the Head of Community Safety and Health Services explained that Officers had attempted to identify “hot spots” and sources of concern possibly by “mystery shopping” and overlay the information obtained onto that provided by the County Council in order to establish public health “hot spots”, e.g. whether a particular area suffered high levels of abuse, or other serious health issues.

In response to a query from Councillor S Cousins regarding crime in general, the Head of Community Safety and Health Services said that, as a District, East Herts had low levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.  He referred to his concerns regarding issues around individuals “pre-loading” before they went out and the need to gain further information and ensure that the supply, possibly by off licences, was controlled.

The Chairman commented that frequently, alcohol and cocaine were used together.  The Head of Community Safety and Health Services explained that there was a link between alcohol and cocaine and aspirational social strata and commented on the ongoing and good relationship the Council had working with the Police to take action where appropriate.

The Chairman asked Members whether they would support a letter of thanks being sent to Inspector Gerry McDonald, referring to the continuing good working relationship East Herts had with the Police and that the Members appreciated being able to sit on the Divisional Management Meeting (DMM) meetings.  This was supported.

The Committee noted the report and confirmed their support for the approach as detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) in respect of Licensing issues, the approach as now detailed, be supported; and

(B)   the Head of Community Safety and Health Services write a letter of thanks to Inspector Gerry McDonald referring to the continuing good working relationship East Herts had with the Police and that Members appreciated being able to sit on DMM meetings.