Agenda item

N March introduced the report and highlighted the following key points:

•           Came to committee in July, required to be reviewed every 5 years

•           Wide consultation, included website and out to public, reviewed by key groups, police and charity groups

•           10 responses, which doesn’t sound a lot however that’s a good response, and a good mix of groups responded

•           The report that appears in the pack couldn’t show track changes, this was sent round by Corporate & Democratic Support

•           Changes around modern slavery

•           If committee are happy with the report it can be submitted to full council

He welcomed questions from the committee.

Councillor Bassadone asked about noise law by government, several people made comments on.

Nathan March replied that there is a feeling amongst residents that we may have bought in some quiet relaxation of policy, this isn’t true. The Government looked at live music and recorded entertainment and felt it was not necessary to have as much regulation and so there is nothing the council can do in their policy. Nuisance caused by noise needs to go through environmental health, they can take action. Controls are in place but not in the policy.

Councillor Pringle welcomed the addition of modern slavery. She appreciated that the council are limited by national legislation but asked if there could possibly be an opportunity to influence behaviour in a soft way through training and a chance to air any issues. She asked about a scheme used by Venues “Ask Angela” where people can get help from coercive situations, she asked if there was a way of incorporating into training. She further asked in relation to noise pollution, reflecting concerns by residents that venues are erecting outside marquees in the current Covid situation causing increased noise pollution and asked if there could be guidance around this issue.

Nathan March replied that the ‘ask Angela’ scheme is generally led by community safety but could incorporate a sentence or 2 to recognise it’s positive, will add to policy prior to full council if chair is happy with that. With premises being shut, then open, then curfew in the covid crisis, it’s a changing landscape but one that should return to normal. There needs to be a balance between residents and venues. With Venues being closed they are trying to provide a service, residents will have been used to quiet when they were closed, now they are open the noise can seem a bit of a shock. If residents are suffering they need to follow the process with environmental health. Needs better communication, not policy. Premises are trying to operate in a mindful way, however residents cannot expect a wholly silent area when living near a venue. With this being a 5 year policy there are no Covid specific measures.

Councillor Pringle responded that as it’s a 5 year policy she understands we cannot put in Covid specifics, however some communication when launched would be good.

Nathan March agreed it was a good idea and once agreed he could build it in and speak to the communications team.

Councillor Bhinder mentioned that noise had come up in Tring and emphasised the difference between licence & environment health, national policy is national policy, and we need to make it clear the policy is not saying they can do what they like, we need to look carefully at applications and be sure to check sound levels however most complaints are about noise from crowds, which is not mentioned.

Nathan March agreed, we need to look at applications closely when they do come into committee to ensure controls are in place, if they are being breeched then we can look at them and we work closely with environmental health for future applications.

Councillor Allen wanted to explore point 18.1 relating to drug abuse. He said we can’t hold licensees account for drug abuse off site but clients then leave to use drugs and then come back and this has had complaints from residents. Can we look at re-entrance to venues after taking drugs and incorporating that into the policy?

Nathan March replied we had no response on this aspect, we could have in July when it was in Draft. Doorman are in charge of refusing entry to people who have used drugs or drunk too much, this can cause nuisance outside which isn’t the Venues fault. If we have specific venues that have an issue, we can work with them to ensure they have better controls, the police are responsible for a review of the licence.

Councillor Hearn asked, can we go back to Councillor Pringle’s point about ask for Angela, what are we doing here?

Nathan March replied. That it can be incorporated within the policy, but it needs to be more generalised as national and local campaigns can change and can be added into the area in the policy around safeguarding. If councillors are happy we can incorporate into policy with supporting campaigns by council or other responsible authorities. N March said he would run past Chair before full council.

Bhinder emphasised that it may not be good to be specific to ‘ask Angela’ as these schemes can change names or come and go.

Decision

That the Committee endorse the revised draft Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 for the Period 2016 – 2021, and refer it to Full Council for approval and adoption.