Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Hugh Davies, Tony Robbins (who joined the meeting online) Diogo Rodrigues and Brian Smedley.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Resolved that the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on 15 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

Councillorspresent atthe meetingdeclared thefollowing personalinterests in their capacity as a Councillor of a Town or Parish Council or any other Local Authority:-

Councillors Carswell and Kravis further declared personal interests as Gambling License Holders.

Councillor Tony Robbins further declared a personal interest as a pub landlord.

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

Public Questions were received from the following:-

·       Nick Hall

·       Carolyn Griffiths

The Chair thanked them both for their submissions and advised that their consultation responses had been included within the report.

The Committee is asked to consider the consultation comments made regarding the policy, recommend any amendments, and recommend the final draft for approval by Full Council.

The Licensing and Fraud Manager, Alan Weldon, presented the report on the Statement of Licensing Policy and detailed some of the consultation responses.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors queried whether officers encouraged applicants to approach their neighbours when they applied for a licence.

The Licensing and Fraud Manager advised that the Licensing Department encouraged open dialogue.

·       Concern was raised on glass related injuries and at what point would it be classed as an issue and plastic be used instead.

The Licensing and Fraud Manager advised that the Licensing Department and Police engaged with the community, and it would either be a condition placed as part of the licence or be as a result of a review.

·       Councillors queried whether a condition could be added to late night refreshments that after a certain time, customers had to use card to pay.

The Licensing and Fraud Manager advised that it could be added to the Policy.

·       Concern was raised that card payments should be a decision for the licence applicant, unless there were safety concerns raised.

·       Councillors highlighted that the Policy did not include the number of Temporary Event Notices that could be applied for in one year.

The Licensing and Fraud Manager would add a link to the legislation details to the Policy.

·       Councillors queried the use of a logbook and whether it was mandatory or placed as a condition by a Sub-Committee.

The Licensing and Fraud Manager advised each case was decided upon on its own merit.

·       Councillors highlighted some typos within the Policy.

·       Councillors queried what an ‘early morning restriction’ meant.

The Licensing and Fraud Manager would provide a written answer prior to the Full Council meeting date.

Resolved that the Licensing and Regulatory Committee considered the consultation comments made regarding the policy, recommended any amendments, and recommended the final draft for approval by Full Council.

The Committee is asked to note the report for Executive.

The Licensing Manager, John Rendell, presented the report on the fixing of fares charged by taxi drivers and detailed the proposed changes.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors requested clarification on the decision-making process.

·       Councillors queried the 2-mile journey used as an average and highlighted the disparity between the old district charges.

·       Councillors queried whether the report would be brought back to Committee on a regular basis based on changes with the economy.

The Licensing Manager advised that it would be brought back periodically due to those reasons.

Resolved that the Licensing and Regulatory Committee noted the report.

The Committee are asked to note the minutes of the Sub-Committees.

The Chair of Committee thanked all of the councillors that had taken part in the Sub-Committees and reminded committee members to respond to the requests from officers.

The Committee noted that the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committees held on 31 May 2023, 5 June 2023, 19 June 2023, 20 June 2023, 18 July 2023 and 7 August 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.