Agenda item

To consider the responses received following consultation with all relevant parties on the revised Statement of Licensing Policy for the Borough.

Following on from the meeting held on 7th April 2014 the Committee considered a report which detailed the responses received during the consultation on the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS)

presented the report and in doing so drew Members’ attention to the two

responses received during the consultation, as detailed at Appendices 1 and

2 to the report. 

The first response received, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report, was sent

on behalf of the Musicians’ Union.  The Musicians’ Union was keen to ensure

that the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy did not impose unnecessary

burdens on licensed venues which would discourage their use for live music

and therefore deny opportunities to working musicians.  In response to the

comments made by the Musicians’ Union, Members were informed that the

Statement of Policy acknowledged the deregulation of live music and other

entertainment in chapter 19.  The Statement of Licensing Policy made it clear

at paragraph 5.1, that every application received would be treated on its own

merit. Paragraph 5.3 stated that the authority would aim to carry out its

licensing functions in a way that promoted tourism, increased leisure and

culture provision and encouraged economic development within the Borough.

Chapter 9 in the Statement of Licensing Policy detailed that any conditions

attached to licences would be tailored to the individual type, location and

characteristics of the premises and events concerned.  In summary officers

believed that the Statement of Licensing Policy gave a fair balance between

enabling the provision of live music and promoting the licensing objectives.

Therefore, the comments received from the Musicians’ Union would not be

included in the Statement of Licensing Policy.

The second response received, as detailed at Appendix 2 to the report, was

from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFR).  HWFR

had suggested some minor amendments to paragraph 6.2 of the draft revised

Statement of Licensing Policy, relating to the requirements on plans submitted

with applications.  The minor amendments suggested had been incorporated

into the final version of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as detailed at

Appendix 3 to the report.

Members were informed that the final version of the Statement of Licensing

Policy, as detailed at Appendix 3 to the report, if approved by Council, would

be published with effect from 1st October 2014.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS responded to Members’ questions

with regard to advice from licensing officers to potential applicants.  Applicants

could seek advice on their applications from Redditch Borough Council and

WRS websites, by phone call and at licensing surgeries. 

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS responded to Councillor A. Fry in

respect of how the consultation was conducted.  Members were informed that

the consultation process had been carried out via email, letter and the

Council’s website.  The costs incurred would have included his time and

minimal postage costs all accountable to WRS.

Further discussion followed with regard to the Home Office Guidance ‘Safe

Clubbing’ and the employment of door safety staff licensed by the Security

Industries Association (SIA).

RECOMMENDED that

The outcome of the consultation exercise be noted and that the

Statement of Licensing Policy, as detailed at Appendix 3 to the report,

be approved and adopted as from 1st October 2014.