MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Licensing Act 2003 Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19 June 2014
|
Present: |
Councillor Mrs Joy (Chairman), and Councillors Mrs Grigg, Harper, B Mortimer, Newton, Perry, Round, Springett and Mrs Wilson |
|
Also Present: |
|
|
1. Apologies for Absence
It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Hinder, Naghi, Mrs Parvin and Parvin.
2. Notification of Substitute Members
It was noted that Councillor Springett was substituting for
Councillor Mrs Hinder.
It was also noted that Councillor Mrs Wilson was substituting for Councillor
Naghi.
3. Notification of Visiting Members
It was noted that there were no visiting members.
4. Election of Chairman
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Joy be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15.
5. Election of Vice Chairman
RESOLVED: That Councillor B Mortimer be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15.
6. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
7. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
8. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
9. Minutes of the Meeting Held on 14 November 2013
The Committee was informed that the Minutes of the meeting
held 14 November 2014 had been inadvertently omitted from the Agenda and as
such could not be agreed.
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2014 be included
on the agenda for the next meeting of the Committee.
10. Appointment of Political Group Spokespersons
Conservative - Councillor Perry
Independent - Councillor Newton
Labour – Councillor Harper
Liberal Democrat - Councillor B Mortimer
11. Members' future training requirements
The Committee considered the Oral Report of the Head of
Housing and Community Services which outlined the proposed training for new
Members to the Committee.
Two sessions would take place for new Members and substitute Members; one
which would cover the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 with hearings
and the second would deal with Street Trading, Sex Establishments and Taxis.
The training sessions would also be open to all Members of the Committee,
including Substitutes, should they wish to attend.
It was also proposed that there would be a refresher session prior to the
meeting on 29 January 2015 which would include any changes and information from
the Institute of Licensing Conference.
Members were also made aware of the 2014 Institute of
Licensing Conference. It was noted that one Member could attend for the whole
Conference or two Members could attend for 1 day each. One day being
specifically for Members.
RESOLVED: That the oral report be noted. Members would be
consulted on who would attend and which option was preferred.
12. Urgent Update on the Amalgamation of the Licensing and Licensing Act 2003 Committees
The Chairman requested that the Head of Housing and
Community Services gave Members an urgent update on the proposed amalgamation
of the Licensing and Licensing Act 2003 Committees as this had been part of the
recommendations from the Peer Review last year and matters needed to be
concluded at the earliest opportunity.
The Head of Housing and Community Services stated that he had hoped to present
a report to the Committee earlier in the year but events over the early part of
the new year such as the flooding incidences had resulted in a delay in
producing a report.
He advised that he intended to bring a report to a special meeting of the
Licensing Committee and Licensing Act 2003 Committee meetings in August setting
out recommendations which would be put to Council at its meeting on 17
September 2014.
Members noted that should Council be minded to approve the recommendations put
forward, then it could delegate all matters to the Licensing Committee which
would meet the following day to agree a scheme of delegation to Sub Committees
and Officers.
RESOLVED: That a Special Meeting of the Licensing Committee and
Licensing Act 2003 Committee be set up in August to consider a report by the
Head of Housing and Community Services on the creation of a single Licensing
Committee.
13. Duration of Meeting
7 p.m. to 7.10 p.m.