To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2017.

The Chairman welcomed two new Members to the meeting, Councillor Mike Brindle and Councillor Shirley Matthews.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to HRMC being amended to HMRC under Minute No. 15/17.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Askew, Millbank and L Monument.

To note whether the Chairman proposes to accept any item as urgent business, pursuant to Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

None.

The duties to register, disclose and not to participate for the entire consideration of the matter, in respect of any matter in which a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest are set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011.  Members are also required to withdraw from the meeting room as stated in the Standing Orders of this Council.

None.

To note the names of any non-members who wish to address the meeting.

None.

Verbal report by Angela Masterson, Environmental Protection Officer.

Angela Masterson, the Environmental Protection Officer, provided Members with a detailed presentation and overview of the work carried out by the Environmental Protection (EP) Team did and how their work interacted with the Licensing Team (presentation attached (this presentation is also on intranet on the Members’ Page)).

Councillor Martin asked what relationship the Team had with the Police.  Members were informed that normally for the public, the Police was the first point of call; however, the Police then pointed them in the direction of the EP Team.  Many issues could now be reported on line.

Councillor Hollis asked how the Team dealt with noise issues outside, for example; a licensed premises.  Members were informed that this would be the responsibility of the Licensing Team or the Police; the EP Team could deal with noisy equipment in a public place but not noisy people.  The Environmental Protection Officer explained that the Team had its own legislation to control noise.  Abatement Notices could be served and any breach was a breach of criminal law and the applicant could be prosecuted and if such a Notice was served on a licensed premises a review of the Licence would be requested.  The Noise Act Legislation was explained.

Another question related to Temporary Events Notices (TENS) and whether one would be needed for a private party.  Members were informed that a TEN would be needed if alcohol was being sold or the host was charging a fee for an activity.  People could apply for a TEN within five days of the event.  All information was available on the Breckland website.

The Environmental Protection Officer was thanked for her interesting presentation.

Verbal report by Donna Hall, Licensing & Business Support Manager.

Donna Hall, the Licensing & Business Support Manager advised that a review of the Licensing Act had just taken place; this had caused concern amongst Premises License Holders; however, the consequences of the review had not been as far reaching as anticipated.  One of the recommendations, to transfer one of the functions of the Licensing Committee to the Planning Committee, had not been forthcoming.

As a result of the review, it was felt that further training was required; one to one training for new Members, and a one day full training session for all Committee Members would be arranged to take place in March 2018.

It was noted that another recommendation put forward in the review was to add Health & Wellbeing objectives to the Act but again this had not been forthcoming.

Another matter discussed was the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) – this was in relation to having a perceived saturation of premises licensed for the sale of alcohol/late night refreshment within a defined area.  Local Authorities were not obliged to have one and only if there was evidence of on-going crime and disorder issues.

Members were informed of the current situation with regard to the setting of fees.  Licensing Authorities had asked the Government if such fees could be set locally but this had not been accepted and therefore the current fees remained.

Referring to the training sessions, the Chairman made the two new Members aware that they might receive occasional emails about Licensing Panel and Licensing Hearing Panel meetings; unfortunately, they were unable to sit on these Panels until the relevant training had been had; however, she encouraged the two new Members to attend and observe these meetings, one of which was being held on 20 December 2017 in the Norfolk Room at 10.00am.