Agenda and minutes

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None

(1 November 2022) to approve as a correct record (attached)

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

The Director of Public Health and Regulatory Services’ representative presented the report on the year-end report for the administration and enforcement of all licensing regimes. The report provided a summary of some of the main activities carried out by the Licencing Team so far within the financial year 2022/2023 and presented policy revisions for discussion ahead of public consultation.

General Updates

Licensing Act 2003

Members were informed that the increased number of larger outdoor events such as music concerts, food festivals and markets planned for 2023 had been welcome.  Whilst it created significant resource demand for what was a small regulatory team, it was a positive sign that the area was attracting organisers and providing a varied and vibrant selection of events.

Members noted that considerations towards the upcoming protect duty (Martyn’s Law) would be a significant area of work for the team over the coming months for all outdoor events and for licensed premises as a whole.

Taxi and Private Hire

It was noted that the number of applicants had been steadily increasing over the past few months with a recovery in the number of licensed drivers and vehicles.

Members discussed the increase in the number of ‘app based’ operators nationally and the failure of legislation to keep pace with technical advances with applicants continuing to apply for licences and then work outside the district.  Where neighbouring authorities had raised their entry requirements, applicants approached other areas with a view to becoming licensed more easily.  The Licensing Authority were keen to retain the current entry standards to ensure that those drivers who did obtain licences in North Somerset were safe and suitable. Lowering the standard or waiving entry criteria might encourage less suitable drivers to the area and undermine the level of public safety the team strived to ensure.

General Service Summary

Members were informed that officers within the Licensing Team had continued to provide invaluable support to applicants, current licence holders and colleagues.  Also, that the commitment to out of hours working, multi-agency initiatives and visits, together with their positive ‘can-do’ attitude had allowed the team to successfully process so far this year in excess of 4000 licences and permits, respond to 3200 enquiries and carry out almost 300 visits.

Members discussed the planned migration to a replacement case management system for use by all the regulatory services which was placing significant resource demands on officers but would allow many applicant processes to be more easily accessible online and reduce the administrative requirements on applicants and officers.  It was hoped that this would realise efficiency savings that may offset increases in the cost of running licensing regimes and minimise the need for fee increases. 

Members noted that with effect from March 2023 North Somerset was offering pre-application advice which was chargeable (scaled approach – small – large event).

Officers circulated a comparison of Licensing Policies in the local area.

Members asked questions and received clarification on the following issues: whether the authority would consider running a Disability  ...  view the full minutes text for item LIC12