Agenda item - Consideration of Resolution of Full Council in Relation to Adoption of New Licensing Policy

Resolution of Full Council, 16 December 2010 (copy attached)

24.1       The Committee considered the Extract and Resolution from Full Council of 16 December 2010 at which the “Statement of Licensing Three Year Review” which had been forwarded from the Committee on 18 November had been considered.

24.2       Councillor Cobb, the Chairman, stated she considered it would be appropriate for the points raised at Council and during the course of discussions at that afternoon’s Committee meeting were addressed and included in the when the annual review report was brought before a future meeting of the Committee.

24.3       Councillor Wrighton stated that the “Green Group” amendment had been put forward because it was considered very important to obtain  input from ward councillors regarding areas of concern within their own wards. She considered it appropriate for a further report to be submitted by officers following consultation with all councillors and the Police with a view to putting forward potential boundaries encompassing the Special Stress Areas.

24.4       Councillor Simson stated that she was mindful of the recent training session for Members of the Licensing Committee led and facilitated by Philip Colvin QV. His advice had been that the city needed to be looked at holistically, CIA’s and stress areas worked well because they recognised different levels of concentration and other factors which were particularly relevant in some areas of the city. If the existing areas were to be extended robust evidence would need to be put forward to support this. She considered that adoption of a matrix system, the merits of which had been discussed at the training and session, should be explored. Any policy needed to be sensible and enforceable.

24.5       Mrs Cranford, the Licensing Manager confirmed that both the CIA and Special Stress Area were reviewed annually by the Committee and consideration of a matrix approach could also be considered. Officers could look at the existing boundaries in the context of a matrix, Ward Councillors could consulted on that basis. Representatives of the Police had also attended the training session and had appeared generally supportive of such an approach.

24.6       Councillor Lepper, the Deputy Chairman stated that a matrix approach appeared to have much to commend it  and that it could be discussed as a potential way forward as part of the next review. This seemed a better approach than having a blanket policy as it applied differing policies in different communities.

24.7       Councillor Kitcat concurred with the views expressed requesting that the existing CIA, SSA boundaries be revisited too. Some seemed arbitrary and they had not been revised for some while.

24.8       Councillor C Theobald concurred that a matrix could be a good way forward and was worthy of further consideration, particularly as the Police seemed to have indicated general support, in the past the Police had not been supportive of any changes to the existing arrangements.

24.9       RESOLVED – That the Committee receive a report as part of the Annual Review of Licensing Policy following consultation with Ward Councillors and the Police and having regard to the concerns of local residents reviewing evidence with a view to the possible inclusion of the Special Stress Areas (SSA’s) in the Cumulative Impact Area. The merits of a matrix approach were also to be explored.