Agenda item

The Public Protection Team Leader (Licensing) has prepared an update on the following current issues:

1)            Licensing Policy Review

2)            Consultation on Implementing a Cumulative Impact Area in Salisbury

3)            Events in Wiltshire

4)            Late Night Levy

5)            Military Rebasing.

Linda Holland (Public Protection Team Leader) presented updates on the following issues:

Licensing Policy Review

Wiltshire Council’s Licensing Policy has to be updated every 5 years and the last one was agreed on 1 December 2009.

A draft of the revised Policy was being prepared and Linda informed the Committee that this would be circulated to them via email in the next week for their comments.  At the Committee’s next meeting on 28 April the draft Policy would need to be approved for consultation and following that would commence a 3 month consultation exercise in early May 2014.

After the consultation a final draft Policy would be prepared to be considered by the Committee at the 8 September meeting and then recommendation of the Policy by full Council would be requested at the meeting on 21 October 2014.

Consultation on Implementing a Cumulative Impact Area in Salisbury

Linda explained that Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) policies were introduced as a tool for licensing authorities to limit the growth of licensed premises in a particular area.  If a CIA policy was to be adopted this would create a presumption that where representations are received in respect of any applications for new or varied licences with the CIA those applications will be refused or granted subject to certain conditions unless the applicant can demonstrate that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on the area.

In order to gain the views of residents and businesses within the proposed area in Salisbury a consultation is running from 27 January to 20 April 2014.  Subject to this consultation and agreement by Councillors a CIA in Salisbury could be in place by Christmas 2014.  To date 35 responses have been received with 27 in favour of the proposal.

Events in Wiltshire 2014

Linda referred to the list of possible events for Wiltshire for 2014.  She had been informed that the Nomansland Festival for 4-6 July had been withdrawn.  Work was being undertaken by her team to engage with the event organisers so that the relevant advice and assistance can be provided.

If members required more information about a particular event or wished to attend with officers at the events, this would be welcomed and they should contact Linda and/or her team.

The issue of engagement with local Councillors was raised to assist with the application for and planning of these events.

Night Time Levy

Linda reported that a report on Night Time Levies (NTL) was considered by the Committee in September 2012 which outlined the changes to the legislation and the new powers that were to be enacted as a result of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, 2011.

Since then the guidance has been updated which outlines a number of exemptions that licensing authorities may consider.  Wiltshire Council has made a commitment to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) with a number of areas already being signed up to this.  If we were to implement the NTL this would mean that some businesses will be required to pay additional charges.

Members considered whether Wiltshire Council should go out to consultation on this issue and noted that very few other local authorities had implemented NTLs following consultation.  The general view was that this would entail a lot of work for officers for not much benefit.

Resolved:

Not to pursue the introduction of Night Time Levies for Wiltshire by going out to public consultation at this time.

Military Rebasing

The following update was unfortunately missed off the Agenda –

“The Army Rebasing programme will see more than 4,000 army personnel and their families (6,000 – 8,000) relocate to Wiltshire over the next five years, in Tidworth, Ludgershall, Bulford and Larkhill.

The increase number of military personal has the potential to have an impact on the licensed premises operating in the night time economies of the areas that will be frequented by the soldiers. The Licensing team will be working in partnership with, purple flag, pub watches, community safety groups and the licensed premises to ensure there is no detrimental impact on the towns and villages from any enhanced use of licensed premises, and actively seek to promote a positive outcome to the military re-basing.

A Health Impact Assessment has been undertaken to look at all the possible impacts on the community etc, which will inform service development as well as support licensing efforts in terms of targeting etc.”

It was also noted that college students would be moving into the former RAF Lyneham base and so consideration would need to be given to the facilities available in the surrounding areas (Calne and Royal Wotton Bassett).  This should include a good offering of facilities and not just be drinking establishments.  Meetings should be arranged with local licensees in preparation for this.