There were none declared.

The notes of the meeting held on Thursday 22 October 2015 were accepted as a true record.

The notes of the Sub-Committee held on Tuesday 2 October 2018 were provided for information and noted by the Committee.

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods.

The Environmental Health Manager provided a report and a review of Statement of Licensing Policy effective from 7 January 2019 for the Committee to consider. The Committee were advised that the Council’s current Statement of Licensing Policy was adopted in 2014 and as a Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 the Council must determine and publish its licensing Policy every 5 years. In determining the new Policy, the Council must carry out the statutory consultation as provided by the Act adding that once the revised Policy has been reviewed and published it will be valid until January 2024.

The Environmental Health Manager reported that the proposed revised Statement of Licensing Policy had taken into account the legislative changes that would affect the policy and that these changes respond to guidance and regulatory changes from Central Government during the last 5 years.

The Environmental Health Manager advised that a small number of sections had been re-worded in line with the best practise framework issued by the Local Government Association and provided a summary of the draft changes in an appendix for the Committee to consider.

It was RESOLVED that the Statement of Licensing Policy is supported and referred to Council on the 6 December 2018 for approval.

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods.

The Environmental Health Manager provided a report of the Council’s current Statement of Principles made under the Gambling Act 2005 which the council adopted in 2015. He advised the Committee that as a licensing authority the Council must determine and publish its Statement of Principles every 3 years and in determining the policy, the Council must carry out the statutory consultation as provided by the Act. The revised policy once reviewed and published will be valid until January 2021.

The Environmental Health Manager advised the Committee there are three licensing objectives set out in the Act, as follows:

·       Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;

·       Ensuring the gambling is conducted in a fair and open way;

·       Protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited.

The Draft Statement of Principles was subject to an extensive consultation with members of the trade, responsible authorities, current licensing holders and members. A list of amendments and the response to the Draft Statement of principles was provided for the Committee to consider.

It was RESOLVED that the Statement of Principles is supported and referred to Council on the 6 December 2018 for approval.

The Environmental Health Manager advised the Committee that Licensing were preparing some Member Training, which is scheduled to be rolled out post Borough elections in May/June 2019.

The Committee welcomed the training and thanked the Environmental Health Manager for his work.

It was RESOLVED that the committee note the Scheduled Licensing training.