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

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2017 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Stephen Askew and Councillor Paul Darby.

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 declared.

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

None present.

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

The Chairman pointed out that the reason the last meeting was cancelled had been due to the very efficient Licensing Team and therefore; there had been no point holding a meeting for a meeting’s sake.

Donna Hall, the Licensing & Business Support Manager reminded Members that this Committee was all about the Licensing Act and the Gambling Act.  It had been a very quiet period for the Team and most of the work had been based around taxis.

The Licensing Team was about to publish a draft order on the website in relation to the relaxation of licensing laws in respect of the Royal Wedding in May.  This would mean that the licensing laws would be relaxed during this period and Temporary Event Notices (TEN) for those licensed premises wanting to extend their opening hours would not be required. Members were asked to sign post any enquiries to the Licensing Team. 

Josie Hoven, Licensing Officer explained that the Police sent the Team a weekly list on any issues that they may have had with regard to licensed premises.

Many questions were asked in relation to when a TEN would be required and it was explained that any person holding an event that included the sale of alcohol would require a TEN.  Another question asked was how wider an area a TEN covered.  In response Members were informed that this was more a capacity issue; an event covered by a TEN could be attended by no more than 499 people at any time and be held for a period of 168 hours or less.  The Licensing & Business Support Manager advised that the purpose of a TEN was so that the Police and the Licensing Team were aware of such events in the area.

Verbal update by the Chairman, Marion Chapman-Allen and Donna Hall, Licensing & Business Support Manager.

The Chairman reminded the Committee of the email sent to all Members about the Licensing Training being held on Monday, 30 April 2018 in the Innovation Centre, Kings Lynn the co-ordinator being Mr James Button.

The Licensing & Business Support Manager said that Mr Button was well known in the field of taxi licensing.  South Holland District Council Members had also been invited and therefore the costs could be shared.

Directions to the Innovation Centre would be provided nearer the time.

Members were asked to contact the Licensing Team for any further training requirements.

The Chairman explained that any new Committee Members could not sit on the Panel meetings until they had received the necessary training.  She looked forward to as many Members attending as possible.

In conclusion it was agreed that the Licensing & Business Support Manager would discuss further options on Designated Drinking Orders with the Police and an update would be provided at the next meeting.