Licensing and Appeals Committee
Author’s Title
20 June 2011
Licensing Manager
Are there background papers?
Yes
No
Exempt
Yes
No
Key Decision?
Yes
No
If Key Decision is it on the Forward Plan?
Yes
No
Decision for Full Council?
Yes
No
Reason for Exemption?
Ward(s) affected?
All
Responsible Cabinet Member
Councillor Trevor Ivory
Chairman of Licensing Committee
Councillor Richard Price
Contact Officer
Chris Cawley
E-mail address
Chris.cawley@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Telephone number
01263 516252
Are there Non Electronic Appendices?
Yes
No
List of Background Papers
File Location:
1.1.
PLEASE REFER TO SECTION 7 OF THE GUIDANCE NOTES FOR
TEMPLATES
Implications / Risks:
Have you identified & explained within the report the
implications of the options available to members?
Yes
None
Yes
None
(Implications should include financial, legal and links
to the Council’s existing policies and strategies)
Have you highlighted the Risks to the Council?
1.2.
Financial Implications and Risks to the Council
should have their own separate headings. It is
not acceptable to simply state that financial
implications or risks have been alluded to in
the main body of the report.
Licensing and Appeals Committee
20 June 2011
This report has been subject to the following processes:
Consultations with:
Cabinet Member
Yes
Chairman Licensing Committee
Yes
Local Member
Yes
Not applicable
S151 Officer
Yes
Not applicable
Monitoring Officer/legal services
Yes
Communications Manager
Yes
Not applicable
Other Head(s) of Service:
Others:
Please confirm this report has been signed off by:
Management Team
Yes
Not apt
Relevant Strategic Director
Yes
Not apt
The Chief Executive
Yes
Not apt
Licensing and Appeals Committee
20 June 2011
Agenda Item No____7_________
LICENSING WORK PROGRAMME
Summary:
This report highlights current licensing issues and
recommends a work programme for the Committee
for the coming year
Conclusions:
.
Recommendations:
1) That Members agree the work programme
2) That Licensing Committee, given the priority
identified, set up three Task and Finish Groups to
move the key issues forward
Cabinet member(s):
Ward(s) affected:
Councillor Trevor Ivory
All
Licensing Committee Chairman
Councillor Richard Price
Contact
Officer,
number, and e-mail:
telephone Chris Cawley 01263 516252
Chris.cawley@north-norfolk.gov.uk
1.
Introduction
1.1.
A number of the Council’s current policies for aspects of the licensing function
are now becoming dated given changes in law, local circumstances or good
practice. It is proposed that small Member working groups be set up to assist
officers with redrafting and consultation exercises on the key topics. The revised
policies will be brought back to Committee in due course for approval and for
recommendation to Full Council for adoption.
1.2.
The key working areas would be:
•
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire
•
Alternative Trading
Licensing and Appeals Committee
•
Charitable Collections
•
Caravan Sites
•
Animal Welfare
20 June 2011
1.3.
The three priority reviews needed now are summarised below. Detailed terms of
reference and timescales need to be set for each of the projects but it is
anticipated that these will be completed by early 2012.
2.
Review of Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licences
2.1.
This needs to cover:
•
equality issues
•
tests and assessments for drivers
•
the potential for a penalty points scheme
•
design, suitability and signage of vehicles
•
vehicle testing
•
provision of hackney carriage ranks
2.2.
A consultation exercise on proposed changes to the Council rule book and
licence conditions should involve not only members of the trade but also
customer groups and local communities. The consultation will be undertaken for
12 weeks. A revised policy handbook will then be developed for consideration by
Committee and adoption by Full Council.
3.
Alternative Trading
3.1.
Given the current financial climate and changes in lifestyle a variety of alternative
trading activities are gaining increasing popularity. They pose potential safety and
nuisance risks to residents and need to be regulated in a proportionate and fair
manner to protect residents, other businesses and consumers without unduly
restricting commercial competition.
3.2.
Consideration of policy in this area needs to cover:
3.3.
•
Goods on the highway permits outside existing shops
•
Market stalls, street and layby trading
•
Car boot sales and similar venues
Consultation with Norfolk County Council covering Highways and Trading
Standards issues will also be essential.
Licensing and Appeals Committee
20 June 2011
4.
Charitable Collections and Lotteries
4.1.
There is increasing pressure on the in the number and type of applications for
permits for Street or Door to Door collections. This is potentially resulting in more
than one organisation collecting in a given area at the same time. In addition
applications are being received from organisations who are agents rather
charities and in some cases it is difficult to establish the charitable causes who
are likely to benefit.
4.2.
Consideration of policy in this area needs to cover:
•
Definitions of charitable and charitable purposes
•
Whether the regulations need to be amended
•
Appropriateness of delegation of this function to town/parish councils
•
Protection from fraud
5.
Caravan Sites and Animal Welfare
5.1
Caravan licensing has a direct link to other regulatory activity and to
Development Control. In addition, these sites play a significant party in the local
economy.
However, our current conditions are in need of review and it is suggested that
this is commenced by Officers and brought to Licensing Committee for Member
involvement in Spring 2012.
5.2
Animal Welfare - This is relatively low priority but is often an emotive issue.
Again, it is suggested that this is brought to the Committee in Spring 2012.