To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2022.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2022 as a correct record.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing, presents a proposed final revision of the Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 to be presented to the Licensing Policy Committee.

The Committee was reminded that the Licensing Act 2003 came into effect on 24 November 2005 and covers the following licensable activities:

• Sale or supply of alcohol

• Provision of regulated entertainment

• Provision of late-night refreshment

The Licensing Act also requires each Licensing Authority to publish a statement of licensing policy to show how it intends to achieve the four licensing objectives:

• Prevention of crime and disorder

• Public safety

• Prevention of public nuisance

• Protection of children from harm

A review of the Policy has been undertaken together with a public consultation. The outcome was included in Appendix 1 of the report submitted.

The policy will be presented to the Licensing Policy Committee on 31 October 2023 with the recommendations of the Licensing Committee. The Licensing Policy will then be submitted to the meeting of Council on 29 November 2023 for approval.

The Chair invited the Committee to comment on the proposed Licensing Policy.

Members referred to the current arrangements for Fallowfield and Withington and the City Centre within the current policy. Members suggested that the current arrangements for Fallowfield and Withington should be applied all areas of the city. The student population within those area had started to reduce and move to other areas and for that reason the special arrangements should be applied to other areas outside of the City Centre. Additional information on the demographic makeup of the local area could be included in applications for premises licences.

The Committee were informed that Section 4 of the Policy focuses on how a premises licence application is considered and additional information could be required for premises applications to provide more information to better explain how the proposed business would operate.

A member made reference to restrictions placed on people with a disability regarding the arrangements currently in place for the outside area of the Albert Schloss premises on Peter Street in the City Centre. The current policy arrangements appeared not to be strong enough to protect the interests of disabled people using the pavement footpath outside of the premises. A loading/parking area had been established that impacts on the pavement and the management of the area was not working. The member undertook to contact officers on the areas of concern that had been outlined.

The Committee was advised that enforcement officers can investigate how premises operate and take appropriate action under the guidance of current legislation. Consideration would be given to the requirements of the Equalities Act and Planning and Building Control.

Decision

To recommend to the Licensing Policy Committee the following changes to the content of the Licensing Policy:

Remove the current area-based policies in place for Fallowfield and Withington and apply these to all areas of the city, outside of the City Centre.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Report of the City Solicitor is enclosed

The Committee considered the report of the City Solicitor that sought the Committee’s agreement to the licensing authority delegations contained in Sections C and F of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.

Decision

To affirm the existing arrangements as set out in the excerpts from Sections C and F of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution as included to the report submitted.