Meeting documents

To consider the report attached as Appendix B.

Contact Officer: Peter Seal 01296 585083

The Licensing Act 2003, required the Council to prepare and publish a statement of its Licensing policy every five years. Until recently this had happened every three years; in 2005, 2008 and 2011. Although Aylesbury Vale District Council had until 2016 to review its current policy, it was felt that given there had been significant changes in legislation and statutory, that a thorough review should be undertaken before 2016.

The current policy had proved successful, particularly as it applied to Aylesbury town centre. The saturation policy had been commended by the Association of Town Centre Management’s Purple Flag awards.

In drafting the current draft policy it had been the intention to reflect the Council’s vision the night time economy particularly in the Vale’s town centres and to promote standards by setting out the councils expectations of business practice through licensing mechanisms. A restraint policy for Aylesbury town centre had proved successful and a similar approach had been prepared for Buckingham town centre which also sought to restrain later hours. If agreed at Council, this would take affect from January 2016.

Consultation on the draft policy had commenced in March 2015. As well as publication on the Councils website, a copy had been sent to Thames Valley Police, all responsible authorities, District Councillors, all parish and town councils, various multi-agency groups and other interested parties. All licensees with a premises licence  or club premises certificate were also written to. A copy of the draft policy was attached to the report as an appendix.

As the policy contains specific restraint policies in relation to the towns of Aylesbury and Buckingham meetings had been organised in both towns, to which all interested parties were invited. Unfortunately the Aylesbury meeting was not well attended with only one representative of the licensing trade being present alongside representatives of  the Town Council and Aylesbury Old Town Residents.

The Buckingham meeting had been much better attended, with a number of licensees, members of the Town Council, the Neighbourhood Action Group and a district councillor being present. All those present supported the proposal to restrain trading hours late at night.

Notes circulated at the meetings demonstrating the Council’s genuine intention to engage and consult at a formative stage of the proposal were attached as an appendix to the report. Also attached as an appendix was a schedule of the responses received during the consultation phase. Another appendix to the report covered the public health view on alcohol in AVDC. The full representations received from solicitors representing Fever and Boutique, a response from Thames Valley Police and supporting documentation, and a representation from another premises within the saturation policy area were also appended.

Members commented and sought clarification on a number of mostly minor issues. They felt that it would be useful for a map of Buckingham to be produced showing the area of restraint. This would be particularly useful for sub-committee hearings. Members also suggested amendments for the final draft policy which had been included from the original 2003 version but were either no longer relevant or needed rewording. They requested that these be included in the final draft to Environment and Living Scrutiny Committee on 22 September, and Council on 21 October.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the Licensing committee noted the responses received in relation to the consultation of the draft 2016 Licensing Policy Statement and subject to minor amendments to be delegated to the Licensing Manager to settle the wording, agreed the Policy Statement as set out in an appendix to the report.

2.    That following consultation with the Environment and Living Scrutiny Committee, the Licensing Committee recommended that Council adopt the reviewed Licensing Policy Statement.