Agenda item - Further Entertainment Deregulation Consultation

Report of the Head of Regulatory Services (copy attached)

17.1         The Committee considered a report from the Head of Planning and Public Protection, regarding proposal to further deregulate Regulated Entertainment. The report was introduced by J Whitelegg.

17.2         Councillor Robins asked why Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling were exempt. Mr Whitelegg said he wasn’t sure, but believed it was down to the types of hold used.

17.3         Councillor Simson asked if Recorded Music would cover discos, and was advised it would.

17.4         Councillor Deane asked that if the authority no longer had control of audiences up to 500, whether there was any other method such as environmental control which could be used. Mr Whitelegg said that planning permission and environmental health legislation would still apply.

17.5         Councillor Simson asked how a licence could be reviewed if there were no conditions attached to it. Mr Whitelegg said that the Licensing Objectives would still apply; the changes only applied between 08:00 to 23:00 and therefore a licence would be required before or after those times. Mr Whitelegg added that it would still be possible to add conditions to the licence if problems arose. The solicitor drew the committee’s attention to paragraph 7.7 of Appendix 1, which covered that point.

17.6         Councillor Simson said that some changes were good such as the deregulation for schools, hospitals etc but some such as increasing the audience limit to 500, and changes to recorded music weren’t, and asked what the response to the consultation should be. Mr Nichols said the Committee could agree or not agree to respond to the consultation or to give authority to officers to respond. Councillor Lepper suggested that the Committee give delegated responsibility to Mr Nichols to respond to the consultation. The Chair agreed with that suggestion.

17.7         Councillor Deane said that any deregulation would impact on other agencies such as the Police, Health etc and suggested that any response be made in collaboration with the other parties. Mr Nichols said that was an option which he hadn’t considered, but it could be done.

17.8         The Committee discussed the matter and agreed that delegated authority be given to Mr Nichols, Head of Regulatory Services, to respond to the Consultation.

17.9         RESOLVED –

(1)   That the report be noted

(2)   That the Head of Regulatory Services submit an appropriate response to the consultation to reflect concerns raised by the Committee.