To elect a Chairman/woman for the 2017/2018 Municipal Year.

Councillor Thomas (J) was elected Chairman for the 2017/2018 Municipal Year.

(Councillor Thomas (J) in the Chair)

To appoint a Vice-Chairman/woman for the 2017/2018 Municipal Year.

Councillor Doggett was appointed Vice-Chairman for the 2017/2018 Municipal Year.

To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Darling (M), Ellery, King, Parrott, Pentney, Thomas (D) and Tolchard.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 19 January 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 27 July 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To note a report on the decisions made by officers under delegated powers.

Members noted the report that informed Members of the decisions taken in relation to Gambling Act 2005 applications in Torbay by the Assistant Director of Community and Customer Services under delegated powers. 

The Principal Licensing Officer advised Members that Government were considering ways to tighten advertising for gambling in particular advertising relating to fixed odd betting terminals.  Members were also advised that Officers had been working with the Gambling Commission in order to comply with new requirements for local authorities to prepare Local Area Profiles. The profiles will be used to assess the local environment as a means of mapping areas of concern surrounding the licensing objectives in relation to the Gambling Act.

To note a report on decisions made by officers under delegated powers.

Members noted a report that informed them of the decisions taken in relation to Licensing Act 2003 applications by the Assistant Director Community and Customer Services under delegated powers.

Members noted the number of Temporary Event Notices and questioned whether the fees covered the costs of administering notices.  The Principal Licensing Officer advised Members that the fees did not cover the costs however the fees were set nationally and that Government had been lobbied in order to increase the fees to a level that more accurately reflects the costs of the function.

Members were advised that the Principal Licensing Officer would be undertaking a review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.  He explained that some areas needed to be amended in order to reflect changes to legislation such as immigration checks.  Other areas for consideration were medical requirements, age of vehicles, CCTV and the knowledge test.

Members were also advised that free Child Sex Exploitation training had been offered to all licenced drivers with a view to possibly changing the policy to make such training mandatory.  Members advised that subject to a full report they would be willing to support Child Sex Exploitation Training being made mandatory for all licenced drivers and that upon the policy coming into force the cost of this training would have to be met by the driver.

The Principal Licensing Officer further informed Members that in the coming months the authority will be undertaking the unmet demand survey with the results and options being present to Members in due course.

Over the next six to twelve months officers will also be updating the Sexual Entertainment Policy with particular attention being paid to the fees following recent case law that requires fees to reflect the recovery of costs.

Members welcomed the launch of the ‘Ask Angela’ initiative which enables patrons who are being pestered or feeling vulnerable to approach bar staff and use the phrase ‘ask Angela’ in order to have the person removed.

The Principal Licensing Officer also advised Members that the Licensing Team had taken on the responsibility for Pavement Café Permits, officers had spent time updating records and had recently commenced inspections of premises that had tables and chairs outside without a permit, officers will then be inspecting premises that go beyond the areas specified in the permits.

The Chairman thanked the Principal Licensing Officer and his team for their help, support and assistance.