(a)

the majority of licensing applications were dealt with by licensing officers and responsible authorities allowing cases to be mediated out;

(b)

there had been a 12% increase in the volume of reactive work over the last 12 months and a 63% increase since 2009/10;

(c)

the Licensing Sub Committee undertook 19 meetings which detailed 20 reports, 13 applications/ variations and 3 licence revocations;

(d)

amendments to the Licensing Act 2003 effective from April 2012 enabled licensing authorities to suspend a licence for non-payment of an annual fee;

(e)

an informal consultation had taken place with key agencies and the trade regarding the Late Night Levy. A consultation exercise would be undertaken to review the existing policy; the use of the new powers was currently being considered by Cabinet Members. The consultation would look at the potential levy, how it could be used and where it should apply across the city;

(f)

if the Late Night Levy was agreed, any monies received would go directly to Community Safety Partnerships to help people affected by the evening and night time economy;

(g)

the period for a Temporary Events Notice (TEN) to operate was increased to seven days from three days; conditions could be transferred from an existing licence to TENS;

(h)

during 2012/13 there was a 12% decrease in formal noise complaints;

(i)

the Out of Hours noise service operating hours were being reviewed;

(j)

an underage sales test purchase initiative took place in February, March and April 2013; plain clothed police officers reviewed how premises were being managed and there was a 69% failure rate for on licence purchases for operation 1 in February. By operation 3 in April this number had reduced to 33% failure rate;

(k)

where licensed premises failed a test purchase a fixed penalty notice would be issued with a fine of £80;

(l)

the mystery shop exercise pinpointed glass management, cleanliness of toilets and behaviour management of customers as areas for improvement;

(m)

income for 2012/13 gambling establishment fees was £56,193 with expenditure estimated to be approximately £55,500 ; as the difference between the future fee income and expenditure was no more than 10% this would not be brought to the Committee to be reviewed;

(n)

a new sex establishment policy was approved in January 2012; two applications were received under the new regime and both were granted;

(o)

two sex shops remain in Plymouth under the same legislation;

(p)

the introduction of a revised Scrap Metal Dealer’s Act was expected in 2013; reforms would support recent changes designed to curtail activities of metal theft – changes included preventing cash transactions;

(q)

as a result of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Criminal Behaviour Orders would replace Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and DPPOs would be replaced with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.