Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence from Members.

There were no substitute members appointed.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

Councillor T A Bond declared an Other Significant Interest in Agenda Item 14 by reason that he carries out work with two hotels in the district and would leave the meeting for consideration of the item.

To confirm the attached Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 May 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 May 2021 were approved as a correct record for signing by the Chairman.

To receive the attached minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 7 June 2021, 28 June 2021, 6 July 2021, 8 July 2021, 20 July 2021 and 3 August 2021.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 7 June 2021, 28 June 2021, 6 July 2021, 8 July 2021, 20 July 2021 and 3 August 2021 were received and noted.

Following the Extraordinary meeting of the full Council held on 15 September 2021, a change was made to the membership of the Licensing Committee. As a consequence, Members are asked to appoint Councillor M F Hibbert to a sub-committee in accordance with the attached report.

Following the Extraordinary meeting of the full Council on 15 September 2021 and the change made to the membership of the Licensing Committee to appoint Councillor M F Hibbert to the Committee (replacing Councillor O C de R Richardson), the Committee was asked to amend the sub-committees to reflect the new membership.

RESOLVED:   That sub-committee (B) be amended as follows

(B)       Councillor D P Murphy (Chairman), Councillor M F Hibbert, Councillor M Bates.

(The remainder of the sub-committees remained unchanged.)

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Councillor P D Jull, as Vice-Chairman, assumed the Chair in the absence of Councillor T A Bond.

Members considered the report of the Head of Regulatory Committee which set out the fees and charges for 2022/23 relevant to the Licensing Authority. Members were reminded that the Licensing Act fees were set by Government and not by the Council and that the fees set under the Gambling Act were capped by Government and set within the guidelines.

RESOLVED:   (a)       That the Fees and Charges for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 3 be approved.

                        (b)       That Members approve the general principle that fees are set at an appropriate inclusive level, irrespective of VAT status, and that the VAT element within the overall fee level is then determined.

                        (c)        That Members approve the general principle that, unless the fee is set by statute, licensing fees will be set on a cost recovery basis.

                        (d)       That the Head of Regulatory Services be authorised to adopt fees at, or close to government directed levels without the need for further reporting, in cases where the Council is awaiting Government guidance and it has not been possible to set a fee level at this stage.

                        (e)       That the Head of Regulatory Services be authorised in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Regulatory Services and the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources to make minor adjustments to the fees and charges as necessary.

(Councillor T A Bond declared an Other Significant Interest by reason that he carried out work with two hotels in the district and withdrew from the meeting for consideration of this item.)