To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2020 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from the Chairman, Councillor Marion Chapman-Allen and Councillors Bowes, Dale and Duffield.

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.

To provide a verbal update on Licensing Act matters.  A presentation will also be provided by Donna Hall, the Licensing & Business Support Manager.

Donna Hall, the Licensing & Business Support Manager provided Members with an update on the Licensing Act.

The Government had extended the licensing hours for licensed premises for VE Day; such premises could now open for an extra 2 hours. 

As requested by the Chairman, Councillor Marion Chapman-Allen, the procedure for the suspension on licensable activities were highlighted.  It was noted that if a licensed premises did not pay the necessary fees the licence could be suspended.  The procedure and strict process that had to be followed was explained.

Councillor Brame asked about a local takeaway that he knew of that wanted to extend its opening hours.  Members were informed that the business owner could make an application to vary the trading hours but the responsible authorities would have to be consulted.  The fee for doing so would be based on the rateable value.  A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) could also be issued if an application was applied.

The number of club premises certificates in Breckland was highlighted.  To qualify for a club certificate, a club had to have at least 25 members and any regulated activities could only be provided for its Members and their guests.  Under a club certificate public events could not be held.  If a non-member wanted to hire the club venue for a public event the owner would have to apply for a TEN.

The amount of notice that had to be provided to apply for a TEN was explained and the amount of TENs that a premises or personal licence holder could apply for in a year was highlighted.

In response to a question about whether roadside burger bars had to be licensed Members were informed that this came under Street Trading.

To provide a verbal update on changes in gambling legislation.  A presentation will also be provided by Donna Hall, the Licensing & Business Support Manager.

Donna Hall, the Licensing & Business Support Manager provided Members with an update in respect of a change in legislation to the Gambling Act.  From 14 April 2020, the use of credit cards for gambling purposes would be banned on-line and off-line in an attempt to curb problem gambling.  This new legislation would have a huge affect on gambling premises but would hopefully prevent gambling addiction and discourage excessive spending. This was a national strategy for the reduction of gambling harm and would be linked into Breckland’s vulnerability agenda.

22% of on-line gamblers used credit cards and were classed as problem gamblers. Debit cards or cash would still be accepted. 

Breckland did not have any independent betting shops and most of the well-known betting shops/bookmakers had their own schemes in place. 

Councillor Moreton asked if Breckland Council had any powers to reduce or prevent the amount of betting shops in one area.  Members were informed that this was a planning issue not a licensing issue.  Councillor Brindle was disappointed with the response as there were many betting shops in Thetford that had now included other activities in the premises such as cafes/food establishments which he felt would encourage more people to take part in gambling.  The Licensing & Business Support Manager advised that a local area profile would hopefully be implemented this year that would allow the Licensing Team to take greater ownership.

The number of gambling premises in Breckland would be double checked as the number highlighted was considered quite low.

General discussion.

A full day of training for the Licensing Committee was being provided on Monday 23rd March 2020 from 9:30am to 4pm in the Norfolk Room (due to the current crisis, this has now been cancelled).

The Accredited Personal Licence Holders Qualification course was being provided by Craig Fowler of EHCUK.

The course would cover:

·         Licensing Law

·         Personal Licences

·         Premises Licences

·         The Protection of Children

·         Powers and Enforcement

·         Temporary Events

·         Responsible Alcohol retailing

All of the above should provide an excellent insight into the requirements Breckland’s businesses and licence holders must meet in relation to alcohol licensing, and enable Members to make informed decisions at Panel Hearings and Committee meetings.

There was an option for Members to stay on for an hour at the end of the day to sit the exam which would provide an APLH Level 2 qualification - the qualification that personal licence holders were required to hold.

To note the arrangements for the next meeting on Wednesday, 15 July 2020 in the Norfolk Room – this meeting will take place immediately following the Licensing Committee meeting.

The arrangements for the next meeting on Wednesday 15 July 2020 at 10am in the Anglia Room were noted.