Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2025.

The minutes from the Licensing Committee held on 19 February 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

There were no items of Chair’s urgent business.

Nicola Horne (Head of Environmental Protection and Taxis) introduced the item and provided the following summary:

a)     Fixed Penalty Notices were being introduced as a new way of enforcement;

b)    Government had provided a formula to issue fines which considered prescribed legislation, how serious the breach of conduct was, the duration of the breach of conduct, where there was intent and previous acts or omissions.

In response to questions, it was explained:

c)     Fines went back to Government apart from Officer costs which were returned to Plymouth City Council (PCC).

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Graham Hooper (Senior Officer) introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

a)     The report outlined the past two financial years including regimes and applications managed by the Licensing Service, term performance, notable trends and high-profile applications;

b)    Licensing Act applications had remained consistent over the past five years;

c)     Direct inspections carried out by the Licensing Team had increase in the previous three years;

d)    The Licensing Policy had been reviewed and updated in 2024 and would be in effect until 2029;

e)     Plymouth was aligned with national trends including the significant reduction of noise complaints in the past three years;

f)      The Gambling Policy had undergone a review in 2025;

g)     Due to an emerging trend for members of the public wanting to hold ‘sexual entertainment’ as licensed premises, the Licensing Team would be undertaking a comprehensive review of the Council’s policy for sex establishments.

In response to questions, it was explained:

h)    There had been two applications for bare knuckle boxing in the past year;

i)      The 05 August 2024 was not included in the number of city centre incidents as it was not a licensing matter;

j)      The Licensing Team engaged with Street Pastors;

k)     Test purchases were carried out to ensure premises were adhering to licensing policies including the sale of age-restricted products to underage young people.

The Committee agreed to note the report.