Agenda item - Government propsals on Personal Licences

Report of the Head of Regulatory Services (copy attached)

16.1         The Committee considered a report from the Head of Regulatory Services, which informed the Committee about Government proposals on personal licences. The report was introduced by Mr T Nichols.

16.2         Councillor Simson referred to paragraph 3.5(i), and asked how someone could be ‘authorised’ by a DPS to sell alcohol. Mr Nichols said it wasn’t clear whether authorisation needed to be put in writing. A Licensing Panel would need to decide whether a DPS needed to actually be on the premises at the time of a sale, and it could vary depending on the size of a premises e.g. whether it was a supermarket or a small convenience store.

16.3         Councillor Marsh asked how the authority would address the changes. Mr Nichols said that if the reforms were brought in, a report would be brought to the Committee and training provided for members.

16.4         Councillor Lepper was concerned that the changes to the regulations were reducing the powers of the Local Authority. Councillor Simson said that the changes might not be as onerous as at first thought and could in fact improve the current system.

16.5         RESOLVED – That the report be noted.