Agenda and draft minutes

It was moved by Councillor Smith and seconded by Councillor Townsend that Councillor Marlow be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for 2024/2025. After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that Councillor Marlow be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for 2024/2025.

To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 October 2023.

It was moved by Councillor Dunlop and seconded by Councillor Townsend that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 October 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken the motion was declared CARRIED. It was noted that Councillor Redfern abstained from the vote.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 25 March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was moved by Councillor Connolly and seconded by Councillor Marlow, that the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 28 November 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 28 November 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was moved by Councillor Connolly and seconded by Councillor Smith, that the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 8 April 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 8 April 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting. She said that although there had recently been limited business for the Licensing Committee, there was a lot of work being undertaken by the Licensing Department.

The Chair said that this work included two decisions made by the Head of Housing and Health. The first resulted in an amendment to the East Herts Council Pavement Policy and associated fees, the second concerned an amendment to the legislative basis for East Herts Council’s licensing and regulation of markets.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) expanded upon these changes and answered questions from the Committee.  

To receive any Members’ declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) introduced the report, he apologised for the absence of Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 data and explained that this was due to the time constraints caused by the current staff vacancies within the Licensing Department. He assured the Committee that future quarterly reports would be forthcoming.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) said that despite the reduction in staff, all inspections had been maintained with the assistance of the Environmental - Crime Officer, and that all notices had been checked in Quarters 3 and 4. He said all performance indicators had also been met for 2023/24.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) said that Licensing Sub-Committee hearings which were subsequently withdrawn required as much work as those which took place. He explained that for such hearings liaison still took place, reports were still prepared, and hearings were still organised.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) referred to the hearing for AMAFest and said that lessons had been learnt and processes changed. He added that the Licensing Department also now had an improved working relationship with Hertfordshire County Council’s Highways Department.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) said that the applicant for Ermines Café was unhappy with the conditions attached to their licence. He explained that this resulted the applicant appealing and Legal (in consultation with the Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee) agreeing to a consent order.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) referred to Appendix A of the report. He summarised that there were less new premises licences than in 2022/23, and that the number of clubs remained as last year. He said that there had been more Temporary Event Notices (TENS) than in the past two years, with gambling activity remaining consistent.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) said that there had been an increase in applications for Private Hire drivers, as well as an increase in the number of new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles being changed to comply with omissions policies. He said that applications for dual drivers had also increased following a slump last year.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) said that the number of Pavement Licenses was low, but as explained, a review of these was to be undertaken following recent policy change. 

The Chair thanked the Service Manager ( Licensing and Enforcement) for the report.

Councillor Dunlop asked what action was taken against the AMAFest applicant who did not conform with this licence conditions. 

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) said that breaches to the conditions for AMAFest could not be proved. He said that therefore advice was given, and should the applicant reapply, this advice would be considered.

Councillor Dunlop asked for clarification of the £50 fees which related to gaming machines.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) said that the £50 fee was set by Government. He said that this applied to a premises without an alcohol licence, which had two or less category C gaming machines. 

Councillor Deffley referred to the Ermines  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, is of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration and is not likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information.

There were no urgent items.