Licensing |
Service Plan |
2020/21 |
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Contents
Section |
Page Number |
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1 |
Who we are |
3 |
2 |
What we do |
5 |
3 |
2020/21 Service Objectives |
6 - 15 |
4 |
Performance indicators and targets |
16 - 18 |
1. Who we are
Team |
Licensing Partnership comprising London Borough of Bexley, Maidstone Borough Council, Sevenoaks District Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council |
Head of Service |
Sharon Bamborough |
Chief Officers |
Gary Stevenson (Tunbridge Wells), John Littlemore (Maidstone), Richard Morris (Sevenoaks) and David Bryce-Smith (LB of Bexley) |
Our Structure Chart
2. What we do
Key Tasks |
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3. 2020/21 Service Objectives
Objective 1 |
To oversee and lead the Licensing Partnership to deliver efficiency savings and achieve performance targets |
Responsible Officer |
Sharon Bamborough |
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Performance Measure |
Description |
2020/21 Target or Outcome (to be achieved by 31.03.2021) |
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LPI LIC 001 |
Send out renewal invitations for all licences/permits etc. 2 months before the expiry date of the licence and if a valid renewal application is not received before the expiry of a licence send a failure to renew letter out within 1 week of the licence expiring and advise the appropriate Authorities accordingly. (Hub Team) |
95% |
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LPI LIC 002 |
The percentage of valid personal licences processed within 2 weeks (Hub Team) |
95% |
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LPI LIC 003 |
Percentage of unopposed applications for new and variation of premises licences processed within 2 calendar months (from date of validation to issue date) [All] |
95% |
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LPI LIC 004 |
The percentage of valid temporary event notices served on Responsible Authorities within one working day of receipt (Hub Team) |
95% |
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LPI LIC 005 |
The percentage of driver and operator licences issued within 10 days of validation (Hub team) |
90% |
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MPI LIC 05a |
Percentage of Hackney Carriage driver licences issued within 10 days of validation (Hub team) |
90% |
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MPI LIC 05b |
Percentage of Private Hire driver licences issued within 10 days of validations |
90% |
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MPI LIC 05c |
Percentage of Private Hire Operator licences issued within 10 days of validations |
90% |
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MPI LIC 017 |
Taxi Compliance (licensing officers at Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone):- · start action/investigation on receipt of complaints/intelligence within 5 working days (includes visits/letters/interviews etc) · reactive/proactive enforcement investigations ongoing/completed · warnings / penalty points issued · vehicle compliance checks |
Non London partners only: 15 actions per month per authority
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MPI LIC 018 |
Premises compliance (all licensing officers throughout partnership) :– · notice checks to be carried out within one week of initial display · start action/investigation on receipt of complaints/intelligence within 5 working days (includes visits/letters/interviews etc) · carry out proactive visits in accordance with risk rating system · attend enforcement meetings/briefings/collaborate with partners on multi-agency approach |
Non London partners – 15 actions per month per authority Bexley – 30 actions per month
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MPI LIC 019 |
(for partners where Hub team arrange annual fee collection -does not apply to Bexley) (i) Send out invoices for continuation fees for licences/permits issued under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 at least 1 month in advance of the fee being due (ii) Where those fees are not received by the due date, take action to suspend/revoke licence/permit within 1 month of the fee being due.
(Hub Team) |
95% |
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MPI LIC 020 |
Action after suspension - Licensing officers to visit /establish status and resolve by 31 March each year (all licensing officers throughout partnership) |
95% |
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Link to Sevenoaks Corporate Plan |
Providing value for money |
Link to Sevenoaks Community Plan |
Safe Communities |
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Link to Maidstone Stategic Plan |
Keeping Maidstone an attractive place for all - Ensuring there are good leisure and cultural attractions |
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Link to Tunbridge Wells Key Objectives in the Vision |
Providing Value |
Link to Strategic Compass |
To ensure we operate in a business–like way |
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Link to Bexley Corporate Plan (Shaping our Future Together) |
Innovation and self sufficiency |
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Objective 2 |
Be open and proactive about undertaking of licensing functions for other local authorities. |
Responsible Officer |
Licensing Partnership Board |
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Performance Measure |
Description |
2020/21 Target or Outcome |
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Action |
Make enquiries with potential partners to undertake licensing functions for a 5th partner. |
Further functions carried out for other partners.
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Action |
Implement the required processes/changes to ensure an additional partner is integrated within the Licensing Partnership |
A smooth integration of any additional partners |
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Link to Sevenoaks Corporate Plan |
Providing value for money |
Link to Sevenoaks Community Plan |
Safe Communities |
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Link to Maidstone Corporate Priorities |
Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough |
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Link to Bexley corporate plan |
Innovation and self sufficiency – a commercial approach |
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Link to Tunbridge Wells Corporate Priorities |
To support a prosperous borough |
Link to Strategic Compass |
Providing value |
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Objective 3 |
Seek further efficiency savings in processes and use of online facilities |
Responsible Officer |
Sharon Bamborough |
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Performance Measure |
Description |
2020/21 Target or Outcome |
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Action |
Review (ongoing) processes and procedures of Hub team officers and streamline / change to save time on unnecessary record keeping |
A reduction in time spent by Hub Team staff completing basic processing which should allow for better target achivement To be achieved by 31/03/2021 |
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Action |
A move towards paper free workplace for Hub team |
Better working environment, less risk of filing errors/backlogs reduction in the time spent by To be achieved by 31/03/2021. |
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Link to Sevenoaks Corporate Plan |
Supporting and developing the local economy |
Link to Sevenoaks Community Plan |
Safe Communities |
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Link to Bexley corporate plan |
Innovation and self sufficiency – a commercial approach |
Link to Maidstone Corporate Priorities |
Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough |
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Link to Tunbridge Wells Corporate Priorities |
To support a prosperous borough |
Link to Strategic Compass |
Providing value |
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Objective 4 |
Ensure all online forms are implemented and in use by customers and explore other software solutions |
Responsible Officer |
Sharon Bamborough |
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Performance Measure |
Description |
2020/21 Target or Outcome |
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Action |
The library of on line forms should implemented across the four partners – to include new forms for Bexley (Special Treatments) and any updates needed for existing ones (eg animal licensing) |
Complete the introduction/update of all online forms. To be achieved by 31/12/2020 |
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Action |
Complete testing and go live with electronic record management system, Enterprise (from Idox) |
Increased efficiency and monitoring tools, with enhanced reporting options To be achieved by 31/08/2020 |
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Link to Sevenoaks Corporate Plan |
Supporting and developing the local economy |
Link to Sevenoaks Community Plan |
Safe Communities |
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Link to Bexley corporate plan |
Innovation and self sufficiency – a commercial approach |
Link to Maidstone Corporate Priorities |
Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough |
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Link to Tunbridge Wells Corporate Priorities |
To support a prosperous borough |
Link to Strategic Compass |
Providing value |
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Objective 5 |
Undertake a programme of training for Members and officers. Ensure all new Members on each Licensing Committee receive appropriate training. |
Responsible Officer |
Sharon Bamborough |
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Performance Measure |
Description |
2020/21 Target or Outcome |
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Action |
Deliver a programme of training to the Members and officers. |
Train any new members to Licensing committee and ad hoc training to any other new members appointed for all partners To be achieved by 31/03/2021 |
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Action |
Hold morning/afternoon sessions where new Members can visit the Licensing Partnership’s Administration Team. |
To be achieved by 31/03/2021 |
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Link to Sevenoaks Corporate Plan |
Keeping the district safe |
Link to Sevenoaks Community Plan |
Safe Communities |
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Link to Bexley corporate plan |
Growth that benefits all – the right skills for jobs of today and tomorrow |
Link to Maidstone Corporate Priorities |
Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough – range of Employment Skills and opportunities across the Borough |
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Link to Tunbridge Wells Corporate Priorities |
Our People |
Link to Strategic Compass |
To have relevant skills |
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Objective 6 |
Revision of Policies & Procedures |
Responsible Officer |
Sharon Bamborough/Lorraine Neale/Sharon Degiorgio/Samantha Laing/Michael Moss |
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Performance Measure |
Description |
2020/21 Target or Outcome |
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Action |
Complete the review Licensing Act 2003 Policies across the Partnership in readiness for January 2021 when they must come into force |
Achieve statutory obligations. To be achieved by 31/12/2020 |
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Action |
Review Street trading policy at Maidstone regarding designation of street trading pitches |
To reduce the cost burden of processing each request and/or reduce the number of requests To be achieved by 31/03/2021 |
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Action |
A review of the Hub Team Admin procedures and update where necessary |
To improve efficiency, reduce mistakes and speed up processing To be achieved by 31/03/2021 |
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Action |
To review taxi policies in Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks as and when needed.
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To respond to changing needs of public and trade and to keep in line with corporate objectives To be achieved by 31/03/2021 |
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Action |
Adapt procedures and requirements in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic to support the trade whilst adhering to regulations |
On-going |
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Link to Sevenoaks Corporate Plan |
Supporting and developing the local economy |
Link to Sevenoaks Community Plan |
Safe Communities |
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Link to Bexley corporate plan |
Innovation and self sufficiency – a commercial approach |
Link to Maidstone Corporate Priorities |
Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough |
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Link to Tunbridge Wells Corporate Priorities |
To support a prosperous borough |
Link to Strategic Compass |
Providing value |
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Objective 7 |
Health, Safety and Well Being of Staff |
Responsible Officer |
Sharon Bamborough |
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Performance Measure |
Description |
2020/21 Target or Outcome |
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Action |
Ensure risk assessments are carried out and reviewed as appropriate and at least once a year. |
Risk assessments are in place and are reviewed. To be achieved by 31/03/2021 |
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Action |
Ensure 1:1 meetings are carried out on a regular basis. |
All Senior Licensing Officers and Licensing Partnership Manager to ensure meetings take place and are documented. |
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Action |
Ensure any H&S workplace requirements related to the 2020 pandemic are adhered to and workable solutions are in place. |
All Senior Licensing Officers and Licensing Partnership Manager to ensure requirements are adhered to |
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Link to Sevenoaks Corporate Plan |
Supporting and developing the local economy |
Link to Sevenoaks Community Plan |
Safe Communities |
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Link to Bexley corporate plan |
Innovation and self sufficiency – a commercial approach |
Link to Maidstone Corporate Priorities |
Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough |
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Link to Tunbridge Wells Corporate Priorities |
To support a prosperous borough |
Link to Strategic Compass |
Providing value |
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4. Measuring our Performance
Performance Indicators and Target Setting
Code |
Description |
Collection period |
2020/21 target |
LPI LIC 001 |
Send out renewal invitations for all licences/permits etc. 2 months before the expiry date of the licence and if a valid renewal application is not received before the expiry of a licence send a failure to renew letter out within 1 week of the licence expiring and advise the appropriate Authorities accordingly. (Hub Team) |
Monthly
|
95% |
LPI LIC 002 |
The percentage of valid personal licences processed within 2 weeks (Hub Team) |
Monthly |
95% |
LPI LIC 003 |
Percentage of unopposed applications for new and variation of premises licences processed within 2 calendar months (from date of validation to issue date) [All] |
Monthly |
95% |
LPI LIC 004 |
The percentage of valid temporary event notices served on Responsible Authorities within one working day of receipt (Hub Team) |
Monthly |
95% |
LPI LIC 005 |
The percentage of driver and operator licences issued within 10 days of validation (Hub team) |
Monthly |
90% |
MPI LIC 05a |
Percentage of Hackney Carriage driver licences issued within 10 days of validation (Hub team) |
Monthly |
90% |
MPI LIC 05b |
Percentage of Private Hire driver licences issued within 10 days of validation (Hub team) |
Monthly |
90% |
Code |
Description |
Collection period |
2019/20 target |
MPI LIC 05c |
Percentage of Private Hire Operator licences issued within 10 days of validation (Hub team) |
Monthly |
90% |
MPI LIC 012 |
Length of time from validation to issue of HC vehicle licence (MPI) - target 10 working days (Hub team) |
Monthly |
average number of days |
MPI LIC 013 |
Length of time from validation to issue of PH vehicle licence (MPI) – target 10 working days (Hub team) |
Monthly |
average number of days |
MPI LIC 017 |
Taxi Compliance (licensing officers at Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone):- · start action/investigation on receipt of complaints/intelligence within 5 working days (includes visits/letters/interviews etc)
|
Monthly |
Non London partners only: 180 each (equates to 15 actions per month per authority)
|
MPI LIC 018 |
Premises compliance (all licensing officers throughout partnership) · notice checks to be carried out within one week of initial display · start action/investigation on receipt of complaints/intelligence within 5 working days (includes visits/letters/interviews etc) · carry out proactive visits in accordance with risk rating system · attend enforcement meetings/briefings/collaborate with partners on multi-agency approach |
Monthly |
Non London partners – 180 each (equates to 15 actions per month per authority Bexley – 360 (equates to 30 actions per month)
|
Code |
Description |
Collection period |
2019/20 target |
MPI LIC 019 |
(for partners where Hub team arrange annual fee collection) Send out invoices for continuation fees for licences/permits issued under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 at least 1 month in advance of the fee being due and where those fees are not received by the due date to take action to suspend/revoke licence/permit within 1 month of the fee being due. (Hub Team) |
Monthly |
95% |
MPI LIC 020 |
Action after suspension - Licensing officers to visit /establish status and resolve by 31 March each year (all licensing officers throughout partnership) |
Annual |
95% |