Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor D Southern substituted for Councillor T Ellerby.

The following members declared a personal interest –

Councillor N Ahmed

Personal Licence Holder

Hackney Carriage Proprietor

HC/PC Drivers Licence Holder

Councillor S Armitage

Personal Licence Holder

Councillor J Matthews

Husband is an SIA Security Guard working in Scunthorpe

No lobbying was declared.

Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this committee held 12 September 2024 having been circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee held on 19 September 2024 be received.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing (Activities) Sub-Committee held on 12 September 2024, 8 October 2024 and 17 October 2024 be received.

The Director: Communities circulated a report that informed the Committee that a draft Animal Welfare Policy had been developed with a view to provide a consistent approach to the Licensing of Animal Welfare Premises within North Lincolnshire.  The Director was therefore seeking approval from the Licensing Committee to start the consultation process.

Resolved – That the consultation on the draft Animal Welfare Policy commence.

The Director: Communities circulated the council’s Statement of Principles for consideration.

In accordance with Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act), there was a requirement for the policy to be reviewed every 3 years.

The responses to the consultation had been included at Appendix B and Appendix C to the report.

The committee discussed the changes to the Policy.

Recommended to Council – That the Statement of Principles be approved and adopted following the period of consultation.

The Director: Communities circulated a report to advise the Committee of all decisions taken by Authorised Officers of the Licensing Division, in relation to licenses, registrations, permits and consents, under the scheme of delegation.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The Director: Transformation and Outcomes informed the Committee that there was one new appeal submitted against a decision of the Licensing (Activities) Sub-Committee or Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee.  A further update would be provided to the Committee in due course.

The Director: Communities informed the Committee that a Tobacco and Vaping Bill was in the process of being considered by government.  The impact of the Bill on licensing premises for the sale of tobacco and or vapes within North Lincolnshire would be considered and a report would be provided in the near future.

The Director: Communities submitted a report advising the Committee of Enforcement carried out by Authorised Officers of the Licensing Division, in relation to licenses; registrations; permits and consents, under the scheme of delegation.

The aim of the Licensing Authority was to protect the safety and welfare of people using regulated businesses; to protect the welfare of animals and to provide support; to educate businesses and licence holders to help them to comply with the law; and to promote a fait-trading environment.

Having a broad range of powers available would mean that officer must select the appropriate response to the non-compliance issue.  Considering the priorities as detailed in paragraph 6(1) of the Business Compliant and Support Policy, officers would also consider the severity of the infringement and the likelihood that a person would re-offend.

Enforcement could be carried out in many ways; for example, by targeted enforcement following complaints and intelligence and another by proactive rolling programmed visits ensuring compliance with licensed premises.

Officers often work outside of normal office hours, either in pairs or in a partnership with other agencies, such as the Police, Immigration and other Local Authority Enforcement Teams.

There were times when a complaint was made or following an investigation where the most appropriate action available was to do nothing.  Where this was the case, officers would notify any complaint and inform the business or person who was being investigated.

All complaints were risk assessed to establish where resources were best placed and those areas which required targeting.

A summary of all recent enforcement action carried out by Authorised Licensing Officers between 20 August 2024 and 31 October 2024 was attached to the report.

Resolved – That the report be noted.