To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 14 October 2009. (previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members declarations and the Nature thereof in relation to :

(a)               Personal Interests in any Agenda item

(b)               Personal and Prejudicial Interests in any Agenda item

(a)               Personal Interests:

None.

(b)               Personal and Prejudicial Interests:

None.

The Chairman encouraged Members of the Committee to attend training courses relevant to Licensing and Regulation Committees.

The Chairman advised the Committee that further to Minute No. L/09/5 of the meeting held on 14 October 2009 relating to Delegation of Functions minor variations, it was agreed that responsibility to determine all applications for minor variations to premises licences and club premises certificates and to determine whether an application is deemed to be a minor variation be delegated to the Director of Sustainable Communities.

In response the CAG had noted the additional delegation but wanted to ensure that Members were made aware of any minor variations to premises licences or club certificates within their ward and agreed that minor variations to premises licences / certificates be notified to the appropriate ward member(s).

To receive petitions in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Annex 2 in Part 4 of the constitution.

The Chairman advised that no petitions in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation, set out in Annex 2 in Part 4 of the Constitution, had been received.

To deal with general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Appendix “A” referred to in Procedure Rule No. CM9.

No applications had been received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation, set out in Paragraph 1 of the Scheme of Public Participation, Appendix 1 to Part 4 of the Constitution.

To consider whether to pass a resolution under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the consideration of the item is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 7 and 12 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED

there were no items of business that involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.

That the Licensing Committee recommend that Full Council adopt the Licensing Policy, with the amendments indicated in the report of the Director of Sustainable Communitites.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Licensing and Policy Officer proposing that following the consultation period the Committee recommend that Full Council adopt the Licensing Policy.  A copy of the draft Licensing Policy was attached to the agenda.

The Committee noted that the draft Licensing policy was sent out for consultation to the responsible authorities and interested parties, the consultation period ran from 16 September through to 9 December 2009.  Four responses were received, 2 in support of the policy and 2 made comments for consideration, details of which were set out in the report.

RESOLVED

(1)               that the amendments to the Licensing Act 2003, Licensing Policy as proposed in recommendations A and B of the report be endorsed.

(2)               that the Licensing Act 2003, Licensing Policy as amended in resolution (1) to this minute be approved.

(3)               that the Assistant Director of Community Safety and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, be given delegated authority to undertake any necessary minor amendments to the policy prior to publication  and subject to endorsement by full Council.

RECOMMENDED

that the Licensing Act 2003, Licensing Policy, as now attached, be adopted to incorporate changes agreed by Licensing Committee.

That the Licensing Committee recommend that executive endorses and Full Council adopts the Gambling Policy.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities which proposed that following the consultation period, the Licensing Committee recommended that Executive endorse and full Council adopt the Gambling Policy.

The report advised that there was a requirement for Central Bedfordshire Council to adopt a statement of Gambling Policy by 1 April 2010.  The draft Gambling Policy, as set out in Appendix A to the submitted report was sent out for consultation to the appropriate responsible authorities and interested parties.  The consultation period ran from 7 September 2009 to 30 November 2009.  Two responses were received which supported the policy.

RESOLVED

(1)              that the Draft Gambling Act 2005 – Gambling Policy be approved subject to endorsement by full Council.

(2)              that the Executive endorse the Draft Gambling Act 2005 – Gambling Policy and recommends to full Council to adopt the Policy.

(3)              that subject to approval by full Council, the Assistant Director Community Safety and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, be given delegated authority to undertake any necessary minor amendments to the Policy prior to publication.