Agenda item - Best Practice in Licensed Premises

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

Contact Officer : Jean Cranford          Tel:29-2550

Wards Affected: All

6.1       The Committee considered a report prepared following a Notice of Motion presented at Council on 4 March 2010 regarding responsible licensing. The Committee had agreed at its previous meeting to draw up a list of best practice taking account recommendations of the “Reducing Alcohol Related Harm to Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel and, to look into ways of publicly recognizing and rewarding responsible licensees who followed best practice, in a similar way to its successful “Scores on the Doors” scheme.

6.2       Councillor West stated that he was very disappointed with the report before the Committee stating that he was unable to support the recommendations as they stood as there should be a greater emphasis on working with the trade.

6.3       The Chairman, Councillor Cobb, stated that co-operative working with the licensing trade was actively encouraged and worked very well. At the previous meeting of the Committee, Councillor Hyde had referred to the need to seek to prevent over counter sales to under age drinkers.

6.4       Whilst recognizing the good work that had been carried out in the past, the current processes were entirely reactive, whereas the licensing authority needed to reach out to the industry.

6.5       Chief Inspector Nelson, present from the Police Authority stated that the “Scores on the Doors” and other schemes had worked well and had been well received as had the support provided to responsible licence holders.

6.6       Councillor West stated that he considered that it was important that the Licensing Strategy Group set up a “soft” group to monitor the existing scheme, he made a formal amendment to that effect supported by Councillor Fryer. A vote was taken and on a vote of 4 to 11 the proposed amendment was lost.

6.7       A substantive vote was then taken and Members voted to receive the report and note its contents.

6.8       RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.