Issue - meetings

The Statement of Policy under the Licensing Act 2003, constitutes the Council’s policy on how authorisations for alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment is considered and regulated. The Act requires the Council to review and readopt a statement of policy at least once every five years and to consult on the draft before it is adopted. This report seeks the Committee’s approval to go out to consultation on an updated draft Statement of Policy.

·       Councillor Coley proposed a motion to extend the Special Stress Area to include the entirety of Upper High Street and Waterloo Road.

Councillor Geleit seconded the motion.

The Committee voted (6 for and 4 against) and the motion was agreed.

·       Councillor Neale proposed that the Principal Licensing Officer is nominated and authorised to make amendments to the policy wording, in consultation with Chair and Vice Chair, in order to ensure the wording is sufficiently robust, prior to the public consultation commencement.

Councillor Howells seconded the motion.

The Committee unanimously agreed the motion.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)        Approve the draft Statement of Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 for consultation, subject to the agreed amendments.

The Statement of Policy under the Licensing Act 2003, constitutes the Council’s policy on how authorisations for alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment is considered and regulated. The Act requires the Council to review and readopt a statement of policy at least once every five years and to consult on the draft before it is adopted. The Committee received a report seeking approval to go out to consultation on an updated draft Statement of Policy.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Version Control. A Member of the Committee raised that there is an empty box on page 2 of the policy which is titled key changes. The Member asked why the key changes from the previous policy were not referenced here. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that the new stress area policy is different from the previous zoning policy, and as such is the first version so there are no changes to detail in the version control box on page 2. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that any changes made to the policy post publication, will be detailed in the version control box, for example, if a body referenced in the policy, changes its name. This enables the Council to update the policy with minor changes without needing to reconsult on the entire document and also keeps a clear record of what changes have been made and when.

b)            Delay to review policies. A Member of the Committee asked why there has been such a delay in review the policies. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that EEBC experienced a large increase in Taxi and Private Hire licence applications over the last few years, and due to resource constraints, the Licensing Team were focused on responding to and processing the high volume of applications received. The Principal Licensing Officer informed the Committee that the Licensing Team have now been given additional resources, at the same time the licence applications have levelled out, which has allowed the team to carry out the necessary policy review work.

c)            Licensing Applications. A Member of the Committee asked if there were any material changes which would affect any licensing applications which have been considered recently. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that any applications within Epsom Town that have gone to sub-committee and that would have been subject to the zoning policy, any issues with respect to that policy have been highlighted within the report and dealt with at that time. The Principal Licensing Officer informed the Committee that there is no concern that there are any issues regarding the applications that were considered whilst the previous policy was in need of review.

d)            Policy Content. A Member of the Committee raised that they do not see any wording in the policy that details CCTV requirements, in regard to camera type, coverage hours, image retention and visibility to patrons. The Member highlighted that a minimum standard is not prescribed in the policy. The Member also stated that the policy does not mention drink spiking prevention measures,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13