Agenda and draft minutes

A minute of silence was observed for the passing of the Mayor of Newcastle under-Lyme Cllr Barry Panter.

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 30^th January 2025 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

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The Licensing Lead for Regulatory Services presented the report on the outcomes of a Home Office consultation in relation to proposed amendments to the Licensing Act 2003 around the off-sales of alcohol. Regulatory easements were brought in during the Coronavirus pandemic to support businesses and were due to end on 31^st March unless made permanent.

Resolved:    That the contents of the report be noted.

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The Licensing Lead for Regulatory Services presented the report on a Home Office consultation towards allowing certain licensed premises to open later than their normal hours for the semi-final and final matches of the 2025 Women’s European Championships, should a ‘Home Nations’ team progress to that stage.

Cllr Allport expressed his support to the measures, commenting that this had worked well in the past, bringing revenues to the pubs and taxi drivers.

Resolved:    1. That the contents of the report be noted;

2. That the proposed response be submitted prior to the consultation Closing, be agreed.

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

Resolved:    That the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st January 2025 be received.

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

The Environmental Protection Interim Manager presented the report on the consultation responses in relation to the revocation of existing smoke control areas, and proposed declaration of a new single Borough wide smoke control area amidst the two options submitted to members.

Cllr J Williams commented that a lot of indoors damp issues affecting properties could be mitigated by simple actions such as opening windows and moving furniture away from the walls, which should be communicated to residents.

Cllr Adcock said that people living in rural areas would benefit from learning about the existence of moisture control fuel which reduced the amount of smoke and consequences on air quality.

Cllr Sweeney expressed his support to Cllr Adcock’s suggestion and for the second recommendation in favour of a single smoke control area that would give residents two years to get rid of their existing stock.

The Chair supported Cllr J Williams comments and said a lot could be done to prevent damp which people were not necessarily doing.

Cllr Brown enquired about approved appliances.

The Environmental Protection Interim Manager advised that the traditional wood burner as pictured in her presentation was a good example.

Cllrs Hutchison and Whitmore supported Cllrs J Williams, Adcock and Sweeney’s comments in favour of the second recommendation.

Cllr G Williams asked if landlords could also be informed of best practices so that tenants are not the ones penalised.

The Chair responded that information would have to be sent out in two separate lots, one addressed to landlords and the other ones to the tenants.

Cllr Brown enquired about enforcement measures.

The Environmental Protection Interim Manager advised that enforcement was difficult hence the priority given to education and adequate communication. Investigation would be undertaken in case of a particular persistent problem.

The Chair asked about barbecues and garden burning.

The Environmental Protection Interim Manager responded that while this was outside of the scope of smoke control areas and fell under nuisance related legislation, the communication plan could include information on issues such as how to dispose of garden waste.

The Chair brought the recommendations to the vote and the second option was picked unanimously by members.

Resolved:    That the consultation representations be reviewed and the following be agreed:

-        that the existing 21 smoke control areas be revoked and amalgamated to form one single smoke control area covering urban areas (including those identified for future development in the Emerging Local Plan);

-        that the Emerging Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Plan – Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council – expand by 1^st April 2027 to cover the whole borough, (taking into account the outcome of further work to identify households with sole dependency on solid fuel for heating purposes).

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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 meeting held on 29^th January 2025 be received.

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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 were no confidential items.

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

There was no urgent business.