Agenda item

John Carter (Head of Service – Public Protection) has prepared the attached update on behalf of the Public Protection Licensing Team and will give an overview at the meeting.

John Carter (Head of Service – Public Protection) referred to the Public Protection Licensing Team update that was circulated with the agenda and highlighted the following:

·        The licensing fees and charges for 2024/25 were confirmed at the Full Council meeting on 20 February 2024 – the fees under the Licensing Act 2023 are statutory and not subject to change unless the Government amend regulations permitting amendments.  There were a number of locally set fees which were approved by Members, and these would all come into force from April 2024;

·        Apologies to Members that the weekly updates of licensing applications had not been circulated since Linda Holland’s departure at the end of November, but these had now been reinstated, being sent out by Technical Support Team;

·        In January 2024 a letter had been received from the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire regarding local authorities licensing and planning functions and the differences between the two.  The Government intended to further strengthen the Section 182 guidance by providing detailed advice on practical ways that local licensing and planning regimes can collaborate and to provide further support for applicants on the importance of early identification of potential difficulties across the two regimes when making a licensing application.  When further details were published this would be shared with the Committee;

·        The consultation for Martyn’s law officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was running from 5 February to 18 March 2024.  The bill would impose requirements in relation to certain premises and events to increase their preparedness for, and protection from, a terrorist attack by requiring them to take proportionate steps, depending on the size and nature of the activities that take place at the premises – relevant updates would be provided to the Committee when available;

·        One of Wiltshire’s two zoos recently received their inspection with a secretary of state appointed inspector and licensing officers in attendance.  Dangerous Wild Animal Licences had been renewed using the conditions that were previously acknowledged by the Committee.  Information was awaited on the impact of new legalisation for the Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022 and a primate licensing scheme under the Animal Welfare Act which was expected to come into force in 2026 subject to parliamentary processes;

·        It became a criminal offence to sell, transfer, exchange, gift or advertise XL Bully dogs from 31 December 2023.  The Council had not licensed any breeders for these types of dogs.  The Licensing Officers and Dog Wardens were working closely with the Police to monitor the impact of these changes, with the Police leading on the identification of XL Bullies that should now be registered;

·        A service wide restructure had been taking place for the Public Protection Service since late November which had resulted in significant management changes to the service including the licensing team which would deliver savings for the current and next financial year.  Claire Francis had been appointed to a new post in structure as the Public Protection Manager for Community Protection with responsibility, amongst other things for the licensing team from 5 February.  An Assistant Team Leader/Principal had also been recruited last week who had been promoted from the role of Licensing Officer.  This would mean that there would be a review of the Officer areas and the Committee would be kept updated on any changes to these; (A copy of the updated structure chart is attached as Appendix 1 to the Minutes)

·        The Public Protection Service would be moving to a new database from April 2024 called Arcus Global.  This had been a long term project and would open up opportunities to speed up how applicants apply for licenses and start to automate some of the licensing processes; and

·        The Local Government Association had produced a range of tips and advice sheets for members of their Council’s licensing committees which they may find helpful – Licensing committee: councillor tip sheets hub | Local Government Association.

In response to a number of general questions from the Committee Members the following was clarified:

·         Suitable licensing training and induction guidance would be considered for the new Councillors following elections due in May 2025 with clarity on the differences between the determination of licensing and planning applications;

·         The team would be working towards the ability to look at current and previous licenses online with the new Arcus system, but this would not be in place from April 2024 – there was scope for many developments which would be added in time with them determining which areas would have the most interest initially; and

·         A Councillor briefing note that would also be shared with Town and Parish Councils would be prepared to explain what was needed in terms of licensing for events and members were encouraged to share this with their constituents and to point them in the right direction if they had local knowledge of planned events.

Resolved:

That the Committee note the update on behalf of the Public Protection Licensing Team.