Agenda item

Linda Holland (Licensing Manager) has prepared an update to the Licensing Committee of the work of the Licensing Team in 2019 and this is attached.

Linda Holland (Licensing Manager) referred to the update on the Licensing Service that was circulated with the Agenda.  The following was highlighted:

·       Under the Animal Welfare regulations that were introduced in October 2018, all existing licences have now been inspected and the premises are given star ratings.  This has been a major area of work for the team over the last year and as those who inspect need to be suitably qualified by October 2021 to carry out animal activity inspections three of the Licensing Officers attended a 5-day residential course in August and two more are due to attend in 2020;

·       The Team had worked with the Immigration Service following concerns raised about employees who were working within the night time economy in situations that were not favourable to them;

·       Two reviews of Premises Licences had been carried out; at hearings of the Licensing Sub Committee in 2019, both had lost their licences;

·       A number of betting shops across the country were closing which was likely due to a loss of income as the maximum permitted stake for category B2 gaming machines had reduced from £100 to £2 from April 2019; and

·       There were some impending changes within the Licensing Team Officers and details of the geographical areas covered by Officers would be provided to the Committee at the next meeting.

The Chairman wished for the Committee’s thanks to be passed onto Officers for their work at supporting the festivals and large-scale events across the County.

A Committee Member asked about unlicensed dog breeders.  The Licensing Manager confirmed that a dog can have up to three litters a year without the need for a licence.  For all those that sell puppies and are licenced, they should advertise their licence numbers.  There were 6 licensed dog breeders previously and this has now risen to 17.  All puppies should be microchipped by the time they are 8 weeks old and should not be sold before they are 8 weeks and the mother of the puppies should be present at the time they are sold.

Lucy’s Law is scheduled to come into force on 6 April 2020 which requires animals to be born and reared in a safe environment with their mother and to be sold from their place of birth.  This legislation will help although there is a concern that it could drive the selling of puppies underground.

A Committee Member asked what sort of reception the implementation of the legislation had received?  It was reported that on the whole it had been satisfactorily received and most premises were keen to comply in order to achieve a good star rating.  Licensing Officers were currently undertaking unannounced inspection visits to all the high-risk premises that are 1 and 2 stars rated and on a few of these inspections issues and concerns are raised which in turn are leading to further enforcement such as warnings, suspensions and possible revocations.

The Licensing Manager reported that those in the trade are helpful in reporting to us concerns of possible unlicensed traders and the Press have been helpful with articles being published in relation to the this.  The Committee expressed their view to be able to support the legislation and it was agreed that the Licensing Manager would produce a Briefing Note for Members towards the end of the year.

Resolved:

1.    That the Licensing update be noted.

2.     That Linda Holland prepare a Briefing Note for Councillors on the Animal Welfare Regulations.