Issue - meetings

The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager introduced the report and referenced the ‘Licensing Committee Roles and Responsibilities’ report presented to the Committee in 2016, where it was agreed that refresher training would be provided annually if required. However, the Council’s Constitution did require existing Members of the Committee to receive annual refresher training and the proposed new wording within the report would remove this requirement and enabled the previously sought flexibility.

The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager confirmed that the online training recently provided to Members was to ensure compliance to the Constitution prior to a recent Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee Hearing. The Committee would be able design and agree a suitable training programme at a later date.

Several Members expressed concern with the online training provided as it was not agreed by the Committee but understood its necessity for Constitutional compliance and to avoid legal challenge.

RESOLVED: That the new wording set out in paragraph 4.2 be recommended to Council for the Code of Conduct for Councillors and Officers dealing with Licensing Matters.