Agenda item

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 5 July 2017.

2.1      The Chairman expressed concerns that eight councillors had signed up for the Licensing and Planning training session on the evening of Monday 27 November and that whilst one apology for absence had been received, only two Members (herself and Councillor Cox) had attended.  She emphasised the importance of Member training and that three senior officers had been present to provide the training.

2.2      In respect of paragraph 6.6 of the minutes, the Committee requested an update from the Task and Finish Group which it had been stated would develop the Council's vision and plan for the evening and night time economy.  This would be forwarded to the Committee prior to the next meeting.

2.3      In respect of paragraph 8 of the minutes, the Committee requested a verbal update on the Notting Hill Carnival.  David Sycamore, Licensing Team Manager, advised that there had been a slight reduction in the number of street traders for the Notting Hill Carnival which had been of benefit in those areas where there had been congestion issues due to the large number of people.  The Licensing Service had taken on some actions to look at the locations of street trading pitches for next year’s event to further assist with the flow of people.    Meetings had been held with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea officers regarding further improving partnership working.  It was believed that there had been no major issues arising from the Carnival in 2017 in the Westminster area and that there had been a slight reduction in the number of incidents the Police had attended.  It was understood that there had also been a reduction in the number of noise complaints received in relation to this year’s event.  It was felt that Carnival had been policed appropriately and resourced appropriately by the Council.

2.4      Mr Sycamore was asked by the Chairman whether there were any licences which were granted for on street trading which contributed to problems during the Carnival.  Mr Sycamore replied that officers had taken feedback from City Inspectors who were at the event and were examining some of the locations for traders who were granted temporary event notices (‘TENs’) and others which were already licensed.  It had been found that meeting with the traders this year was useful and potentially if officers were able to engage with them at an earlier stage there could be an overall benefit in terms of where they would be located.   

2.5       Mr Sycamore was asked by Councillor Caplan whether there was now a greater understanding of the process regarding TENs as there had previously been a misunderstanding amongst officers that it was not possible to modify the TENs at hearings, including those relating to the Carnival. He replied that this had been taken on board and additional training had been provided for officers.  The greater knowledge would be reflected in the initial communications between officers and the Premises Users.

2.6       Councillor Scarborough asked whether the Council had paid more money in terms of its efforts on behalf of the Carnival.  Annette Acik, Head of Licensing, replied that the Council had paid roughly the same amount towards the Carnival as in 2016.  Additional staff were not employed specifically for the event.  There was a prioritisation for existing staff to be present at the event.

2.7       RESOLVED: (i)That the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on Wednesday 5 July 2017 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of proceedings; and,

(ii)  That an update on the Task and Finish Group be forwarded to the Committee prior to the next meeting.