Agenda and minutes

A Member must declare any disclosable pecuniary interest where it relates to any matter being considered at the meeting. A declaration of a disclosable pecuniary interest should indicate the interest and the agenda item to which it relates. A Member is not permitted to participate in this agenda item by law and should immediately leave the meeting before the start of any debate.

If the Member leaves the Chamber in respect of a declaration, he or she should ensure that the Chairman is aware of this before he or she leaves to enable their exit from the meeting to be recorded in the minutes in accordance with Standing Order 37.

None.

16 November 2021 to approve as a correct record (attached)

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

Report of the Director of Public Health (attached)

The Director of Public Health and Regulatory Services’ representative reported on the administration and enforcement of all licensing regimes undertaken by the council.

She presented her report, which detailed the licensing activities undertaken within the financial year 2021/22 in relation to the functions and responsibilities carried out by the North Somerset Licensing Team and amendments to draft revisions after public consultation of the Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

In presenting her report, she noted the removal from the Licensing Policy of the Cumulative Impact Area currently in operation but that this could be reinstated with supporting police evidence should the need arise.  She added that the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy was still valid, so no review had been necessary but that there had been a large increase in applications from drivers who live out of the area.

The Director of Public Health and Regulatory Services’ representative brought members’ attention to the consultation responses received on the draft Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 particularly in respect of safeguarding issues.

Licensing Act 2003

Members asked questions and received clarification on the previous reported increase in drug use including spiking incidents; the number of instances of public disorder, the Ask for Angela domestic abuse campaign and the use of a sponsored salaried taxi driver near to the Mavis bus on Fridays and Saturdays.

Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy

Clarification was sought and received on the numbers of applications that may come to a hearing particularly in relation to drivers who live outside of North Somerset

Gambling Act 2005

Members sought and received clarification on the use and timing of risk assessments and safeguarding for children, the extent of the coverage of the Statement of Principles under the Act and the use of extensions to fee dates.

In concluding discussions, it was

Resolved:

(1) to note the outcomes and challenges to the administration of Licensing regimes undertaken by the North Somerset Council Licensing Team in this financial year

(2) to note the changes to the draft revisions of the Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 following public consultation

It was further

Recommended to the Council: that the revised Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 and the revised Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 be adopted by the Council at its meeting in April 2022.