Agenda item - Statement of Licensing Policy Review - Progress Review

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

Contact Officer: Jean Cranford           Tel:29-2550

Wards Affected: All

5.1       The Committee considered a progress report by the Director of Environment detailing progress of the current Statement of Licensing Policy.

5.2       The Head of Licensing, Mr. Nichols explained that the Council as Licensing Authority had a statutory duty to review its Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP) every three years. This process had included the creation and adoption of a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and Special Stress Areas (SSA’s). Following a public consultation process for this, feedback, legal opinion and analysis of the proposal had been adopted with effect from 13 March 2008. It had been agreed that both the cumulative impact and special stress areas would be reviewed regularly, in consequence those areas were reviewed regularly and review data was available for them year on your following their implementation. It was recommended that recommendation 2.2 be removed as it was a statement of fact.

5.3       Councillor Kitcat sought confirmation regarding whether it was proposed that this recommendation be removed as it would pre-judge the outcome of other consultations. He was concerned that reference was made to licence fees for Sex Entertainment / Licensed Sex Shop premises, these formed the subject of a separate report for consideration by the Non Licensing Committee. He  was unclear where issues arising should be discussed. It was confirmed that this report provided a contextual over view and met statutory requirements. Non Licensing Act Matters should be considered elsewhere.

5.4       Councillor Kitcat then referred to the letter sent to the appropriate minister within the previous government drawing attention to issues of concern to the Committee, he considered that it would be timely to forward this to the appropriate minister within the recently elected government. The Chairman Councillor Cobb, suggested that it would be appropriate for this letter to be re-circulated to Members in order for them to decide whether and which aspects of it remained relevant and whether they wished it to be resubmitted to central government, the consensus view would prevail. Members  were in agreement and the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing agreed to re-circulate the letter.

5.5       Chief Inspector Nelson responded to questions of Councillor Lepper that effective and collaborative interagency working had resulted in the containment of offences in the city, this had included advice and support to premises licence holders to encourage responsible operation. A concerted rigorous and robust approach meant that overall the levels of reported crime had remained stable with sustained reductions in some areas. The proposed revisions represented “refinements” to the established and solid framework which was already in place. It was recommended that the cumulative impact  and special stress areas were retained in their current form. The Environmental Health Manager, Mrs Sparks, confirmed that this position was supported by the Council’s Environmental Health Officers dealing with pollution, prevention and minimisation. Chief Inspector Nelson referred to a power point presentation which had been given to the spring meeting of the Magistrates Bench in April 2010 on policing the night time economy and alcohol related crime and disorder, this had been well received and he stated that he would be happy to circulate this to members of the Committee.

5 .4      In answer to further questions Mrs Sparks referred to leafleting of students at each of the university campuses at the start of each academic year advising on how to enjoy alcohol and the city’s night life safely and responsibly and  how to behave as a responsible neighbour. In addition to halls of residence this information was also provided to letting agents.

5.5       Councillor Simson welcomed the report  stressing the importance of maintaining the cumulative impact and special stress areas and the recognition that noise and other nuisance could occur outside the CIA and that  measures were in place to enable problems to be addressed.

5.6       Councillor C Theobald commended the work carried out by the noise complaints team and their pro-active  approach.

5.7       Councillor Smart referred to the boundaries of the current CIA and special stress areas and to the importance of  their boundaries remaining such that they could be effectively policed.

5.8       Councillor Young referred to the need for early intervention by and meetings between the relevant officers. In responding officers referred to the recent temporary closure of the Bevendean Hotel. That premises was situated outside the CIA but repeated problems had been responded to proactively. It was stressed such action was not taken lightly and was considered only when considered warranted due to serious circumstances.

5.9       RESOLVED (1) – That the Committee authorises officers to bring the results of the consultation and the Revised Statement of Licensing Policy to its next scheduled meeting in November 2010.

(2) The recommendation of Sussex Police that the cumulative impact and special stress areas be retained in their current form be agreed. It is noted that this position is supported by the Council’s Environmental Health Officers dealing with pollution, prevention and minimisation.