Meeting documents

Venue: Council Chamber. View directions

Contact: Liz Hornby 

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 12 November 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any disclosure of disclosable pecuniary interests by Members relating to items on the agenda. If any Member is uncertain as to whether an interest should be disclosed, he or she is asked if possible to contact the District Solicitor prior to the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they are declaring an interest, they should state the nature of that interest whether or not they are required to withdraw from the meeting.

Minutes:

There were none.

 

3.

Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Members considered the report on the Review of the (Draft) Statement of Licensing Policy and noted it had been five years since the last review. They noted that only a few changes had been suggested most notably that the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 had brought changes to the Designated Public Places Order and had now become, as referred to at paragraph 3.11 of the policy, a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which was currently under review. It was proposed that a power would be created which would prohibit at any time, consumption of alcohol or having an open alcohol container within the restricted area of the town centre. If a person who, without reasonable excuse, continued to drink intoxicating liquor in their possession when asked to stop by a police officer or an authorised person or failed to surrender anything in the person’s possession which was believed to be alcohol or a container of alcohol, they would commit an offense under the legislation and was liable, on summary of conviction, to a fine (standard scale £500), or if in receipt of a Fixed Penalty Notice to a penalty of a maximum of £100. The legislation also gave powers to police officers to dispose of any open can of alcohol once it had been surrendered.

 

The proposed revised PSPO would be subject to a consultation and had to be agreed by Cabinet before it was adopted later in 2018.

 

Members expressed some concern that this could potentially move the issue to areas out of the town centre, particularly from the Frogmoor area. Concern was raised that people were beginning to congregate in the children’s play area behind Desborough Street.

 

It was noted that PSPO’s were just one method of enforcement. Police had powers of dispersal which could be carried out anywhere. Public Order Offences were another method of enforcement. It was noted that pressure should come from people / residents reporting incidents to the police as they had the relevant powers. 

 

It was confirmed that licensed premises would be exempt from any PSPO.

 

If a premise was found to be selling alcohol either inappropriately or unlawfully, and reported to the WDC Licensing Team, site visits would be carried out to investigate further and for appropriate action to be taken.

 

It was proposed that the White Cider Initiative, which had generally been very successful, referred to in the policy be amended to create an accreditation for responsible retailers who agreed not to sell super strength alcohol products. This would also include other forms of alcohol than white cider but would exclude craft speciality products. It would be seen as a ‘pat on the back’ of those adhering to the scheme.

 

It was noted there had been a number of incidents of illicit alcohol or cigarettes being found on licensed premises which had prompted a number of review applications to be considered. Therefore paragraph 3.13 had been added to the policy to clarify that review applications would be considered in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Training

Officer Contacts:    Mrs Caroline Steven  Tel: 01494 421222

                                    Email: caroline.steven@wycombe.gov.uk

 

                                    Mrs Kiran Khanna  Tel: 01494 421264

                                    Email: kiran.khanna@wycombe.gov.uk

 

Executive Summary

 

Under the Licensing Act 2003, the local authority is responsible for determining applications made under the Act. This function is delegated to a Licensing Panel of three members.  Any Member wishing to take part in Panel Hearings must have received appropriate training, ideally at least every two years.

 

It is proposed to devote some time during this meeting to training, with a view to bringing as many members as possible up to date with training needs and to offer a refresher of the processes involved.

 

Training on the 28 March will aim to give all Committee Members the opportunity to recap or learn aspects of the Act relating to Licensing Panel Hearings. It will enable Members to raise questions and Officers to provide guidance and assistance on key points and procedures in a training environment.

 

Outcomes and Next Steps

 

It will be the aim to give every member the training and confidence to take part in Licensing Panels.

Minutes:

Members received training from Ms Caroline Steven, WDC Licensing Team Leader, Mr Brian Whittall, WDC Licensing Officer and Mrs Kiran Khanna, WDC Principal Solicitor (Licensing).

 

 

 

5.

Supplementary Items (If Any)

Minutes:

There were none.

6.

Urgent Items (If Any)

Minutes:

There were none.