Agenda item

Review of Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy, including Cumulative Impact Policy

Cabinet Member: Councillor Vincent (Cabinet Member for Environment)

 

The report to be considered at Cabinet on 25 March 2014 will be submitted.  The minute of Cabinet will be published following the meeting.  

Minutes:

Councillor Vincent (Cabinet Member for Environment) presented the Statement of Licensing Policy, including the Cumulative Impact Policy for adoption (Cabinet minute 119 referred).  Members also considered the Cabinet report.

 

Councillor Vincent highlighted the changes to the policy including - 

 

(a)

to clarify the expectations of the City Council to applicants;

(b)

to reduce glass injuries; 

(c) 

to provide a detailed explanation of responsible retailing of alcohol;

(d)

to add the control of adult entertainment;

 

(e)

to provide for greater flexibility in the Cumulative Impact Policy for protection for local communities and to balance the need to allow businesses to prosper but protect people and local businesses.

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Rennie.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Dr Mahony and seconded by Councillor Darcy to defer consideration of the item to the next meeting of the City Council, as the papers for this item had arrived late and the Conservative Group had not had an opportunity to debate them in their group meeting.

 

Councillor Peter Smith indicated that the Cabinet report had been available on the Council’s website since 18 March 2014.

 

Following a request from Councillor Nicholson, Mr Shepperd (Deputy Monitoring Officer) confirmed that he had received representations from members of the opposition group with regard to the lateness of the papers and the number of supplements for the City Council meeting today.  

 

During the debate, members were reminded of the IT equipment provided to them and that they had the opportunity to take up IT training as required. 

 

The Lord Mayor asked that the Head of ICT reissue to all councillors, the policy listing the IT equipment that was available to councillors.

 

Following the debate and a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote, there voted –

 

For the amendment (20)

 

Councillors  Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Churchill, Darcy, Drean, Foster, Mrs Foster, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Michael Leaves, Sam Leaves, Dr Mahony, Monahan, Nicholson, Mrs Nicholson, Ricketts, Dr Salter, Stark and Wigens.

 

Against the amendment (31)

 

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Bowie, Casey, Damarell, P. Davey, S Davey, Mrs Dolan, Evans, Fox, Gordon, Jarvis, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Mrs Nelder, Parker, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, J. Smith, P. Smith, Stevens, J. Taylor, K. Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Williams and Wright.

 

Abstentions (1)

 

Lord Mayor (Chair).

 

The following members were absent (5)

 

Councillors Ball, Coker, Fry, Haydon and James.  

 

The Lord Mayor reported that the amendment was not agreed.

 

Councillors continued to debate the substantive motion and the issues raised included –

 

(a)

the need to report of any illegal activity seen on the streets to the police;

(b)

the need to link this policy with the Taxi Licensing Policy, car park security and nightbuses.  

 

 

Following the debate and a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote, there voted –

 

For the motion (31)

 

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Bowie, Casey, Damarell, P. Davey, S Davey, Mrs Dolan, Evans, Fox, Gordon, Jarvis, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Mrs Nelder, Parker, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, J. Smith, P. Smith, Stevens, J. Taylor, K. Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Williams and Wright.

 

Against the motion (0)

 

Abstentions (19)

 

Councillors  Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Churchill, Darcy, Foster, Mrs Foster, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Michael Leaves, Sam Leaves, Dr Mahony, Monahan, Nicholson, Mrs Nicholson, Ricketts, Dr Salter, Stark and Wigens and the Lord Mayor (Chair).

 

The following members were absent (7)

 

Councillors Ball, Mrs Bowyer, Coker, Drean, Fry, Haydon and James.  

 

The motion was agreed as follows –

 

(1)

the Licensing Statement of Policy (Appendix 2 to the report) is adopted;

(2)

based on the concerns about crime and disorder and public nuisance, the special policy on Cumulative Impact is retained for each of the following areas –

·         Union Street (including Derry’s Cross)

·         Barbican

·         North Hill

·         Mutley Plain

·         Stoke

 

(Councillor Coker having declared an interest in the above item withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.)

 

(Councillors Martin Leaves, Sam Leaves and John Smith declared interests in the above item.)

Supporting documents: