Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within the agenda

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Resolved:    That the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 April, 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report seeking whether an updated Cumulative Impact Statement should be published and if so, to determine its scope.

The Current Cumulative Impact Assessment came into force in July, 2021 and the Council was duty bound to review it every three years.

The Council’s Licensing Administration Team Leader, Matthew Burton advised that the previously agreed consultation had received responses from three bodies: Staffordshire Police Licensing; Neighbourhood Policing and the Council’s Environmental Protection Team.  Their responses were outlined at paragraph 2 (c), (d) and (e) with full responses attached to the report at appendices C, G and H.

Councillor Brown asked if this was mandatory for all local authorities or was it something that Newcastle did as good/best practice.

Mr Burton advised that it was not mandatory to do it but of an authority undertook it there was certain criteria to complete including reviewing it every three years.

Councillor John Williams asked when the start date for the Cumulative Impact Statement would be.

Mr Burton advised that the current one would expire on 13 July, 2024.  If the decision made at this meeting was to replace it, it would either on 14 July unless this Committee decided to start it sooner.

Councillor John Williams asked if the Council had enough staff to carry out this work.

Mr Burton advised that the Cumulative Impact Assessment was only brought into force when an application was received by the Council.  The extra burden would be on the person submitting the application and not the Council’s officers.

The Chair stated that for every premises selling alcohol, that transferred to food outlets when people became hungry.  In addition, looking at the map extending the area, premises would change over the years so a three year review was excellent.   

Resolved:    (i)       That the information provided by Staffordshire Police in

support of retaining and amending the existing Cumulative Impact Assessment, be noted;

(ii)      That the information provided by Environmental Health in

support of retaining and amending the existing Cumulative Impact Assessment, be noted;

(iii)      That the information received as part of the recent

consultation, be noted.

(iv)     That a Cumulative Impact Assessment be published to

‘replace’ the current one, and that the following be included:

(a)            Expand the current area to include all additional

areas requested by Environmental Protection (Appendix D);

(b)      Include all licensable activities under the Licensing Act 2003; and

(c)      No business or premises types should be excluded from the scope.

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To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within the agenda

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Members were advised that the consultation period would be for 12 weeks and not 6 as stated in the report.

Consideration was given to a report informing members of issues regarding car cruising around the Borough and seeking approval for a consultation on a proposed Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to be carried out in respect of this.

The Council’s Mobile Multi-Functional Manager, Michelle Hopper drew Members’ attention to paragraph 2.1 where the chart had shown a downward trend in incidents but they were now increasing again.  The table showed the number of incidents by area.  The incidents usually took place on car parks or industrial estates.

The prohibitions that the Council was looking to implement were outlined at paragraph 2.2 of the report.

Staffordshire County Council were looking to implement their own PSPO in regard to this matter which could impact upon the Borough should it be put in place.

Councillor Sweeney asked what the process would be.  The report stated the issuing of a £100 fine but who would issue it?

Ms Hopper advised that the police would be first on the scene and would therefore issue a Fixed Penalty Notice which would then be referred back to the Borough Council for the administrative element.

Councillor Adcock asked if motorbikes, mopeds and quad bikes would be covered by this or be a separate issue.

Ms Hopper stated that this had been considered but the difficulty lay in identifying people due to there being no registration plates on those vehicles.  The issue of enforcing off-road vehicles/motorbikes was being looked into in a joint project with the police.

Regarding the fine, the Chair asked if that went to the driver or the owner of the vehicle.

Ms Hopper started that the police would use their judgement and serve the Fixed Penalty on the persons present at the time of the offence.

The Chair made reference to Stafford’s proposal to implement a PSPO and was concerned that with our 12 week consultation, offenders could transfer their activities from Stafford to Newcastle.

The Council was aware of this issue.  The 12 weeks consultation period was part of the guidance and something that Stafford would also need to undertake.

Resolved:    That the carrying out of a twelve week public consultation for a

proposed PSPO for car cruising be approved.

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To consider the minutes of the Public Protection Sub-Committees which have met since the previous Licensing and Public Protection Committee.

Resolved:    That the Minutes of the meetings held on 22 May, 2024 be received.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the attached report, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 7 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no confidential business.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972

The following item was considered urgent due to the next meeting of this Committee being too late for the matter to be noted.

RELAXATION OF LICENSING HOURS FOR THE 2024 UEFA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Members were informed of a Home Office consultation that had been carried out to allow certain licensed premises to open later than their normal hours on the occasions of the semi-final and final matches should a ‘home-nations’ team reach that stage.

Resolved:    That the report be noted.

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