Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest stated

To agree as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 August, 2014

Resolved:-              That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 August, 2014 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider the minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting held on 9 September, 2014.

Resolved:-            (i)          That the minutes of the meeting held on 4

September be agreed subject to Councillor Hambleton being replaced by Councillor Mrs Bates as attending.   

(ii)         That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September be agreed as a correct record.

To receive a verbal update from the Council’s Community Safety Officer, Trevor Smith.

PURPLE FLAG

Members received an update from one of the Councils’ Community Safety Officers on the Purple Flag accreditation scheme. The scheme governed by the Association of Town Centre Managers and designed to improve the early evening and night time offering in the town centre.

The Council had been working towards the scheme since 2010 but at that time, were not in a position to apply for accreditation.  The proposal was revisited again in 2013 when there was a Town Centre Manager and Town Centre Partnership.

The Council had been informed that it had been successful in its application and on 5 November, at an official awards ceremony, Newcastle would officially be granted Purple Flag status.  The Council was now looking to put on a local launch event on 2 November.

The Assessors report had however highlighted some areas for improvement and an action plan would be drawn up to deal with these.

REDUCING THE STRENGTH

This was a scheme aimed at removing high-strength alcohol from off-licences around the Borough.  It was part of an ongoing campaign to manage ‘dependent drinkers’.

The scheme was officially launched two weeks ago where those participating were presented with a plaque and posters.

Unfortunately, the larger supermarkets were unable to join the scheme as they were governed by their own company rules.  This matter was being taken up by the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities.

Officers were also looking into whether this voluntary scheme could be included within any new Premise License Agreements.

Members agreed that pressure needed to be put onto MP’s to ‘get the ball rolling’ on the scheme.

It was agreed that the Council’s Democratic Services Manager and Community Safety Officer would meet to discuss the best way forward and bring their findings back to a future meeting.

Resolved:-   (i)       That a letter be written to the Local MP

Asking for assistance in implementing the scheme.

(ii)       That Officers look into the possibility of adding appropriate conditions to Premise Licenses in order to facilitate implementation of the scheme

Members considered a report on a proposal to introduce a Quorum for Licensing Sub-Committees, with a recommendation that it be three Members.

In addition, the Committee were asked to consider whether a fourth Member could be put on standby.

Resolved:-     (i)      That the quorum for Licensing Sub-Committeesbe three Members in attendance for

each hearing.

(ii)       That, at the discretion of the Licensing Officer, a fourth Member be asked to be on standby whenever possible and that this be restricted to Reviews for the time being in order to assess its success.

Members considered a report on the proposed fees to be charged in relation to the Gambling  Act 2005. 

Resolved:-              That the fees, as set out in the report, be agreed.

Consideration was given to a report on the fee to be charged in relation to the licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues.

Resolved:-              That the fees for the licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues be set as follows:

                               Application Fee:       £3000

                               Renewal Fee:          £2000

Variation:                 £1000

Transfer:                 £1000

Members discussed possible items for consideration by this Committee over the next few months.

The following topics were put forward:

·       Update on the Deregulation Bill ( an update will be brought to the next meeting)

·       Early Morning Restriction Orders.

·       Late Night Levies.

·       Licensing Policy.

·       Reducing the Strength.

Resolved:-              That the above items be included in the Work Plan for the Licensing Committee.