Agenda item

This update has been prepared by Linda Holland (Licensing Manager) and seeks to update the Committee on the work of the Licensing Team in 2018/ early 2019.

Linda Holland (Licensing Manager) referred to the update on the Licensing Service which had been circulated with the Agenda.  Linda highlighted the following:

·       It was intended that a training session for Members would be held in place of/following the next meeting on 3 June 2019 on TENS and large event applications;

·       Wiltshire is a popular venue for festivals and other large-scale events – the prevention of harm is a key element when planning an event and Licensing Officers are involve in considerable pre-event work to guide organisers to manage their own event to lessen the impact on the local community and emergency services;

·       Some events are supported through the Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) which is a forum where the organisers of events meet with the responsible authorities including the emergency services to discuss details of the event and any potential issues.  More ESAG meetings are planned to date than were held for the whole of last year;

·       We have been working together with Swindon Licensing and Wiltshire Police to promote the “Ask for Angela” campaign which was launched in October 2018;

·       In April 2017 the Home Office Immigration department became a Responsibility Authority under the Licensing Act and we have carried out two joint visits to premises where it was suspected that illegal workers were present; and

·       A large number of applications for licences continue to be received with over 2000 TEN applications.  To date in 2019, no Licensing Sub Committee hearings had been required.

John Carter (Head of Service – Public Protection) reported that the Public Protection Service had a restructure at the end of 2018 and seven Heads of Service were reduced to three.  Linda and her team now come under John.

The Chairman thanked Officers for their work, noting their increased workload in recent months with the Animal Licensing legislation changes.  He was pleased to note that the Licensing and Public Health Teams are now an integrated service.

The Licensing Committee Members asked the following questions:

Q        Are you responsible for licensing of Swindon premises?

A        No.

Q        Have there been any appeals to the Magistrates Court to challenge any of the decisions made by the Licensing Sub Committee in the last year?

A        No.

Q        The ESAG is a great tool, how many are usually held per year?

A        Last year there were 15 ESAG meetings held but while a high profile and useful group, they can only advise on events (i.e. they cannot stop events being held) as they are considered to be a guidance tool.

Linda Holland asked if Members still found the weekly list of applications that she circulated to be useful?  Members confirmed that they did.  Linda advised Members would be notified of any applications in their Ward and if they had any queries about applications in their ward or other areas they should contact the relevant Licensing Officer.

Linda Holland agreed to send out details to Members about the “Ask for Angela” Scheme.

Resolved:

That the Licensing Committee note the update and that Members continue their support of the “Ask for Angela” initiative to assist a person at a time of vulnerability.