Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18^th June 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18^th June 2008 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

No declarations were received.

To consider a report by the Licensing Manager on Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Licensing.

Members noted the contents of a report by the Licensing Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing.  The Committee was advised that statistical information had been requested by the Department of Culture Media and Sport on the number of licences and certificates in force and the number of applications received during the period 1^st April 2007 – 31^st March 2008.  The statistics a copy of which was appended to the report now submitted had provided a useful overview of the scale of the impact of the Licensing Act within the district. 

Members were advised that although, nationally, it had been suggested the the number of ‘Live Music’ licences’ had declined, over 50% of the licences issued by the Council for alcohol consumption on the premises permitted live music.  The number of personal licences in force in Huntingdonshire had grown by 18% to 1047 but Members were reminded that this did not present an accurate reflection of the number of personal licence holders currently authorising sales in the district as the licences had nationwide validity.

The Committee was updated by the Head of Administration on the national statistics recently published by the DCMS which appeared to show that the number of premises licences had increased over the past year contrary to media reports that suggested a high number of premises closures. 

The Licensing Manager took the opportunity to update the Committee on some of the work carried out by the Section which included attendance at Pubwatch meetings, Neighbourhood Panel meetings and Joint Action Group meetings.  Mediation also was undertaken involving licensees and neighbours.

The Committee was reminded of the plethora of organisations now involved in tackling the problems associated with alcohol abuse and related public disorder and the need for improved liaison and co-ordination to prevent duplication and achieve results.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration on Alcohol Disorder Zones.

The Committee received and noted a report by the Head of Administration on the new powers to designate Alcohol Disorder Zones (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book).  It was explained that the use of such measures was intended to be a last resort when problems relating to alcohol consumption were unable to be attributed to an individual licensed premises and could not be dealt with by other means. It was explained that as ADZs could not be applied to problems such as late night food outlets or litter, and would therefore be inappropriate in the context of the concern shown by Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) over the cases of excess litter in St Ives on Sunday mornings. 

Chairman