Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Councillor Judy Kelly with Councillor Peter Kemp substituting.

Councillor Lynne Allen declared a personal interest on Item 6 – Gambling Act 2005 – Statement of LicensingPolicy Review, as a member of the Licensing Committee and remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed

The a minutes of the meeting held on 8^th October 2009 were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record after being amended to add the following declaration of interest:-

‘Councillor Lynne Allen declared a personal interest on Item 6 – Safety at Sports Grounds – Update, as a member of the Licensing Committee and remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed.’

Street Lighting Review  - Final Report

The committee received the final report on the Street Lighting Review.  Members asked for a further recommendation to be added into the report to ask officers to consider working closely with Housing Associations in relation to Street Lighting.

Resolved

1.      That the committee endorse the review and allow Democratic Services in consultation with the Chairman to update it based on changes in forth coming situations that may arise before its submission to Cabinet.

2.   The Committee asked officers to look at working more closely         with Housing Associations in relation to Street Lighting.

Officers gave a brief introduction to the report and in answer to an issue raised advised that there had been no reviews of licences within Hillingdon.

The Chairman asked whether there needed to be better relationship between licensing and planning.  Members were advised that if there was no planning permission for a change of use, a gambling licence could still be granted. 

It was suggested that the licensing section be added to the distribution list of weekly planning applications received.

Resolved –

1.                  That the report be noted.

2.                  Planning and Community Services be asked to add the Licensing Team to the distribution list to receive the weekly list of planning applications.

The Committee considered the following extracts of items in the Forward Plan for the Cabinet meeting on 17 December 2009:

·        Playbuilder Scheme – Members recommended that early consultation should be undertaken on this scheme.

·        Ealing Development Framework – Members asked for a briefing note on what were the core issues affecting Hillingdon.

·        The Chairman informed the Committee that rather than 3 monthly out of date updates being received on the Budget, that in future, 6 monthly more up to date information was to be provided to the Committee.

·        Street Trading – The Chairman advised that this would not be included in current review but part of a bigger review in the future.

·        Accessible Hillingdon – Supplementary Planning Guidance – Report to be sent to all Members.

Resolved – That items on the Forward Plan be noted.

i.         Planning Enforcement – Construction And Use Of Detached Out Buildings (Homes In Back Gardens) (Appendix A)

The object of the review is to know where we are now and whether any improvements can be made to the current processes to speed up the bringing of cases to a conclusion.

·        Where we are now – details of the department in regards to number of staff and cases and their role in enforcement

·        List of the issues that officers face on a daily basis

• Thoughts and considerations as to how the service can be improved to speed up the process (internal processes and possible changes to legislation)

            Witnesses – Officers from Planning Enforcement

            James Rodger – Head of Planning and Enforcement

            Eddie Adamczyk – Enforcement Officer

ii)         Counterfeit Cosmetics and Illegally Imported                    Foods

(Appendix B)

Imported Illegal Cosmetics

Report to include:-

·        Introduction to the department and the work undertaken

·        Case studies showing the process from the start to finish to include the outcome

·        What the issues are for officers and what, if anything, can be done to improve the service

·        Expand on the issues that arise from the illegal importation of skin lighteners

Illegally Imported Foods – Border Control and Whole Sale and Retail

Report to include:-

·        Introduction to the department number of staff and the department’s role in combating illegally imported foods. (to include outside organisations officers attend)

·        Suggestions on ways officers feel the service could be helped to improve the arrangements for combating the issue of illegally imported foods

·        More information on Operation Codex 3

·        Information on the disposal of waste and how it is currently dealt with and where any improvements could be made

·        Details of the London Food Hygiene – Scores on the Doors Scheme

·        Visit to Heathrow Airport in early February prior to the committee considering the report and witness session

Witnesses- Officers from Trading Standards and the Border Agency

Shabeg Nagra, Port Health Manager

Sue Pollitt, Divisional Trading Standards Officer

Peggy Law, Consumer protection Manager

Oliver Darius, Principal Environmental Officer

            Officer from the Border Agency