Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory which seeks Members consideration to the final Statement of Licensing Policy, the Cumulative Impact Assessment, the Consultation Response document and the ECDI Impact Assessment.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory submitted a report which sought acceptance of the final Statement of Licensing Policy, the Cumulative Impact Assessment, the Consultation Response document and the ECDI Impact Assessment.

Appended to the report were copies of the following appendices:

·  The Final Policy (Appendix No.1 referred)

·  The Cumulative Impact Assessment (Appendix No. 2 referred)

·  Consultation Response Document (Appendix No.3 referred)

The Principal Licensing Officer, Communities & Environment explained the background to the report, the main issues to be considered and then spoke in detail about the results of the public consultation, addressing each of the 30 responses received and the proposed changes made to the policy as a consequence.

Referring to responses Nos: 4 – 9, Members sought clarification as to the proposed changes to the Headingley Cumulative Impact Policy.

In responding the Principal Licensing Officer said the cumulative impact assessment demonstrated there was a lack of evidence to justify identifying part of the Headingley area as a cumulative impact area. There was a lack of reported incidences and occurrences that demonstrated there was a cumulative impact of licensed premises in the area along the Otley Road.

Members suggested that there may be an impact on local residents as a consequence of the “Otley Run”

In responding the Principal Licensing Officer said incidences of public nuisance should be reported to the police to ensure they were logged.

Referring to responses Nos: 16 – 27, Members suggested that there appeared to be significant issues in the Harehills area around: alcohol sales, street drinking, instances of public nuisance/ anti - social behaviour, and asked how this would be addressed.

The Principal Licensing Officer explained the current policy consultation included Harehills in the cumulative impact assessment. This assessment identified the area including Harehills Lane and Harehills Road in a cumulative impact area which would allow Members of the Licensing Committee to consider cumulative impact of the other licensed premises in the locality when making determinations for applications in this area. Where the consultation responses had indicated specific problems, the relevant sections of the council would be informed.

Members requested if a report, addressing the specific issues identified in the consultation responses could be brought back to a future meeting of the Licensing Committee.

Officers confirmed that the Licensing Committee’s request for a further report would be referred to the appropriate Team (s) within the authority. 

Referring to response No. 29, specifically around planning and the suggestion that the policy should reflect the fact that licensing and planning were separate regimes which over-lapped in terms of the licensing objectives and planning’s amenity remit. It was highlighted that the applicant needs to understand that both regimes need to be complied with.

In responding the Principal Licensing Officer said it was recognised that more harmonisation was required around planning and licensing regimes within the same authority but each department had its own priorities. Officers from both departments would continue to work closely to achieve the best outcomes.

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion the Chair thanked Officers for their hard work in pulling together such a comprehensive report.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the final Statement of Licensing Policy, the Cumulative Impact Assessment, the Consultation Response document and the ECDI Impact Assessment be accepted.

(ii)  That the final Statement of Licensing Policy be referred to Council for approval

(iii)  That a report addressing the specific issue referred to in Harehills & Gipton be the subject of a further report back to this Committee in December