Minutes for Licensing and Regulatory Committee meeting, Jan 19 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cuthbertson, Friel, Kerrigan and D.Rimmer.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November, 2008.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November, 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Environmental Protection Director

The Committee considered the report of the Environmental Protection Director updating on the applications made under the Licensing Act, 2003 which he had determined.

The report indicated that Sefton’s Statement of Licensing Policy followed the recommended delegation of functions contained within the “Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003”; that in effect, this meant that where there were no relevant representations on an application for the grant of a premises licence or club premises certificate, or Police objections to an application for a personal licence, then these matters would be dealt with by Officers in order to speed matters through the system; and that the Guidance also recommended that, where powers had been delegated, the Committee would receive regular reports on decisions made so that they maintained an overview of the general licensing situation.

For the period 8 November to 29 December 2008 the Environmental Protection Director had received and determined 41 applications for premises licences, 24 applications for personal licences, 0 applications for a club premises certificate and 71 notifications for temporary event notices.

RESOLVED:

That the report and the fact that further update reports will be submitted, as necessary, be noted.

Report of the Environmental Protection Director

The Committee considered the report of the Environmental Protection Director updating on the applications made under the Gambling Act, 2003 which he had determined.

The report indicated that Sefton’s Statement of Licensing Policy followed the recommended delegation of functions contained within the “Guidance issued under Section 25 of the Gambling Act 2005”; that in effect, this meant that where there were no relevant representations on an application for the grant of a premises licence or a permit then these matters would be dealt with by Officers in order to speed matters through the system; and that the Guidance also recommended that, where powers had been delegated, the Committee would receive regular reports on decisions made so that they maintained an overview of the general gambling situation.

For the period 8 November to 29 December 2008 the Environmental Protection Director had received and determined 4 applications for Licensed Premises Gaming Permits and 4 notifications given for Licensed Premises Automatic Gaming.

RESOLVED:

That the report and the fact that further updated reports will be submitted, as necessary, be noted.

Report of the Environmental Protection Director

The Committee considered the report of the Environmental Protection Director that informed of the need to revise the current Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Gambling Act 2005 – Proposed Timetable for Revision of Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy be noted;

(2)      the proposed timetable for revising the statement of gambling licensing policy, as detailed within the report, be endorsed; and

(3)      the fact that further progress reports will be submitted, as necessary, be noted.

Report of the Environmental Protection Director

The Committee considered the report of Environmental Protection Director that sought approval for proposed changes to fees and charges for Licensing Services in 2009/10.

Attached as an annexe to the report was a copy of the proposed fees and charges for 2009/10.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the proposed fees and charges, as detailed within the report and its annexe, be endorsed; and

(2)      Cabinet recommended to approve the proposed fees and charges as detailed within the report and its annexe.

Report of the Environmental Protection Director

The Committee considered the report of the Environmental Protection Director that informed of specific provisions relating to the licensing law contained within the Policing and Crime Reduction Bill.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Certain Provisions of the Policing and Crime Reduction Bill report be noted; and

(2)      the fact that further reports will be submitted, detailing the bill’s progress through the parliamentary legislative process, be noted.

Report of the Legal Director

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director on applications from: Mr. Mick Hanlon, proprietor of Formby Hall Golf Club PLC, for The Diplomat Room to be licensed for civil marriages and civil partnerships in addition to The Ambassador Suite, which was already licensed for civil marriages and civil partnerships, and to change the name of the venue from Formby Hall Golf Club PLC to Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa; and from Mrs. Lynda Riley, proprietor of Shorrocks Hill Country Club, for the club’s Ascot Suite Function Room to be licensed for civil marriages and civil partnerships.

The report indicated that both premises had been inspected and conformed to all the guidelines issued to Local Authorities for the General Register Office, and that no objections had been received to the official notices published in local newspapers or from Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)      the application from Mr. Mick Hanlon, proprietor of Formby Hall Golf Club, to license The Diplomat Suite, in addition to the Ambassador Suite, for civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies be approved for a three year period with effect from 23 January 2009, and that the name of the venue be changed to Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa; and

(2)      the application from Mrs. Lynda Riley, proprietor of Shorrocks Hill Country Club, to license the Ascot Suite Function Room for civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies be approved for a three year period with effect from 23 January 2009.