Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Mr Mike Norsworthy to the meeting.
Mr Norsworthy outlined his role within the Police Licensing team. Police Licensing considers all applications as a Responsible Authority and, where appropriate, mediates with applicants to come to an agreed position. Police Licensing is also responsible for enforcement, either through administration or prosecution, and works closely with local Licensing Authorities.
In response to questions from Members of the Committee, Mr Norsworthy advised the following:
· Correctly completed licensing applications are sent by the Licensing Authority to the various Responsible Authorities of which there are fifteen. Live applications have a 28 day period during which representations may be submitted. Police Licensing considers the application and conditions against the 4 licensing objectives and, where necessary, contacts the applicant to undertake a mediation process. Police Licensing informs the Licensing Authority where an agreed position has been reached and evidences that the applicant agrees with the position.
· With regard to the licensing of festivals and applications for time limited premises licences, events are often planned well in advance and details of the management of the event may not be available at the time of the application. Where this is the case, an event management plan is then taken to a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting for discussion and agreement by the applicant and Responsible Authorities. A condition of the licence is that any such event is run in accordance with the event management plan. It was acknowledged that this process can cause concerns for local residents and Members of a Licensing & Enforcement Sub Committee hearing as not all of the event management details may be available at the time of the application. However, the Police have powers to close down an event if an agreed event management plan is not in place. If issues have arisen during an event, a full licence application could be required the following year.
· The Police Licensing team is very happy to receive complaints in order to build evidence of issues. Police Licensing adopts a stepped approach and will contact the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and the Premises Licence Holder in the first instance. Where issues cannot be resolved, a review may be undertaken.
· Where complaints regarding noise have been received, it can be difficult to ascertain whether the issue is noise emanating from inside a premises or noise from anti-social behaviour outside a premises. There is no legal definition as to how far from a premises noise can be still be attributed to the premises. Police Licensing works with Environmental Health to resolve issues together. A diary of noise incidences provides useful information for Police Licensing and Environmental Health will assist residents with keeping a diary or monitoring noise issues.
· A process exists whereby Police Officers attending incidents at pubs notify the Police Licensing team using form L10. In addition, administration staff monitor Police logs on a daily basis to highlight any potential issues at premises of interest. The Police Licensing team regularly reminds Officers to keep them informed as issues arise.
· Good communication between Police Licensing and the EDDC Licensing Officers is key to effective working.
· Regarding event organisers advertising events before a licence has been granted, Police Licensing advice is that it is unwise for organisers to do this and that EDDC should not grant a licence if it is not happy to do so. The Licensing & Enforcement Sub Committee should not feel pressurised to grant a licence where a timescale is short before the holding of an event.
· It was noted that the Government had been lobbied several years ago to make public health a fifth Licensing Objective, however, the Government had not agreed to this proposal. Regarding public health, large hospitals record information using the ARID database system which enables information to be shared with partner agencies in order to highlight consistent problem areas of alcohol related incidents.
The Chair thanked Mr Norsworthy for attending and for his very helpful contribution to the meeting.
Mr Norsworthy noted that, in his experience of working with Local Authority licensing teams across Devon, the EDDC Licensing Officers ranked in the top 2 due to their pragmatic approach and way of working. The Licensing and Enforcement Committee should be reassured that Officers working behind the scenes are providing excellent support.
The Chair thanked Mr Norsworthy for his comments and asked the Licensing Manager to pass this on to staff.
Mr Norsworthy left the meeting.