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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
LICENSING COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 18 March 2009
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Present: |
Councillor Parvin (Chairman), and Councillors Mrs Gibson, Mrs Hinder, Marshall, Mortimer, Naghi, Mrs Parvin, Wilson and Yates |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Verrall |
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75. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors FitzGerald, Sellar and Warner.
76. Notification of Substitute Members
The following substitution was noted:-
Councillor Mortimer for Councillor Sellar
77. Notification of Visiting Members
Councillor Verrall was present as a Visiting Member but did not wish to speak.
78. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures.
79. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
80. To consider whether any items should be taken in private because of the possible disclosure of exempt information.
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
81. Potential Licensing Partnership with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Sevenoaks District Council
The Committee considered the Report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Services regarding the proposal to enter into a Partnership with Sevenoaks District Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to provide a joint Licensing service.
Members were informed that each authority would retain its own policy and Licensing Committee. Each authority would have a Senior Licensing Officer and a Licensing Officer. There would be 7 back office staff, 1 being a Team Leader, based at Sevenoaks and that the role of the back office was to process all licensing applications. A single IT system would be used to serve the whole of the Partnership to integrate the processes of the 3 authorities. The reasons for the proposal for back office staff to be based at Sevenoaks was due to the fact that Sevenoaks had existing space for all staff without incurring the cost of taking on extra office space and they also had the IT experience to support the licensing system to be used.
Members raised concerns regarding support for Committee members at Maidstone and the levels of enforcement envisaged in the new arrangements. Members felt that there was nothing to be gained from the Partnership for Maidstone that would be of benefit to residents.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 6.50 pm to allow Members to have an informal discussion.
The meeting re-opened at 7.02 pm.
RESOLVED: That the Licensing Committee informs Cabinet that they do raise an objection to the Council entering into a Partnership with Sevenoaks District Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to deliver the Licensing service as they see no financial or betterment to the status quo of Licensing in Maidstone that will be of benefit to the residents of Maidstone.
82. Duration of Meeting
5.30 pm to 7.05 pm