Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Oswell and Councillor Lavery.

No interests were declared by Members present.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

It was confirmed business would take place in public and private as set out on the agenda.

The Committee received a presentation from Mr Stitson, the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team Leader in relation to the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective and more specifically noise matters in relation to licensed premises. Mr Stitson outlined:

·         The process behind noise control enforcement;

·         How the Out of Hours Noise Team worked at night and the early hours monitoring noise and visiting affected properties and licenced premises;

·         How officers witnessed any loud music or noise and determined whether it exceeded the statutory level that would prevent residents, for example, sleeping or watching television;

·         How persistent noise could result in a Noise Abatement Notice being served by officers and a resultant breach of Notice prosecuted in a Magistrates Court;

·         How the Noise Team monitored activity based on intelligence and where there was anti-social behaviour and rowdy noise from patrons leaving licenced premises, how they worked with the Police in respect of any public order offences.

Where there were serious breaches, Mr Stitson outlined measures that the Noise Team could advise the Licensing Sub-Committee to review, including restricting opening hours, no admittance outside in beer gardens after a certain time, no admittance to the premises after a certain time, staggered exits and signs placed outside to encourage patrons to respect neighbours.

Councillors on the Committee welcomed the overview by Mr Stitson and sought clarification on the following points:

·         Whether the Council logged all noise nuisance reports from residents, which Mr Stitson confirmed did take place.

·         What the staffing arrangements were in place for the Out of Hours Noise Team, which Mr Stitson confirmed as 2 officers on any night. It was also noted that there were on average about 20 calls on a Saturday night from residents about noise.

·         How visits were prioritised, which Mr Stitson confirmed would be based on those premises where there would likely be a breach of an existing Noise Abatement Notice served and also the number of reports from residents about a particular venue.

·         Whether technical equipment was used to measure noise heard from inside residents’ homes, to which Mr Stitson confirmed that there was no equipment used and that any determination of noise would be based upon common sense from the two noise officers present.

·         How the use of signs outside licenced premises worked well to encourage patrons leaving to respect neighbours.

The Council’s Licensing Services Manager outlined the proactive approach taken by her team along with the Noise Team, Police and licenced premises operators to secure improvements to venues in terms of sound reduction.

The Committee reviewed the Council’s Statement of Gambling Policy, following approval by the Cabinet to consult on an updated version.

Members noted that the changes were minor and mainly reflected updated legislation. A discussion took place on one aspect within the Policy in relation to Gambling airside at Heathrow Airport which was outside the remit of the Licensing Act or control of the Council and Members considered that this current loophole should be closed by HM Government.

On a related matter, PC Butler from the Metropolitan Police updated Members on work at Heathrow Airport in relation to alcohol licensing.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee support the revisions to the Statement of Gambling Policy.

The Committee received information concerning current practices with Betting Shops to protect underage and vulnerable persons and also examples of training materials used to train staff working in Betting Shops.

PC Butler from the Metropolitan Police updated Members on the Hayes Bet Watch Scheme, which was formed in 2017 in order to deal with issues taking place in the Betting Shops located in the Hayes Town Centre area. It was noted that the scheme operated well and provided a forum to share information and intelligence. Members welcomed the significant reduction in anti-social behaviour and crime since the scheme had started.

Members discussed the self-exclusion procedures in place and liaison with local faith groups which could assist the Police in intelligence. The Committee requested details at their April 2020 meeting of the latest number of betting shops in the Borough.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the information and request details at the April 2020 meeting of the latest number of betting shops in the Borough.

Members agreed to hold a training session on the Licensing Act with role play exercises, in lieu of the October meeting.

RESOLVED: That the October Licensing Committee meeting be cancelled and a training session be held in lieu.

The Committee looked ahead at planned business.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the Forward Planner.

The Committee welcomed the additional summary provided to the minutes; Members noted the decisions and agreed the minutes of previous Licensing Sub-Committee hearings as correct records.

Members also requested that the Part 2 decision summary and minutes be bound separately so Members could use them more easily for future reference.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee, with the agreement of Members present at the following Sub-Committees that they are a correct record, ratify the minutes of the following meetings: 22 January 2019, 4 February 2019, 21 February 2019, 4 March 2019 and 16 April 2019.

This item was considered privately in Part II as it contained restricted minutes for approval, which included information revealing the identify of individuals and information relating to action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime. That the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraphs 2 & 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government [Access to Information] Act 1985 as amended).

The Chairman updated Members on Guidance issued in April 2018 which removed the Police from being the only body that could request a review of licenced premises under the licensing objective of crime and disorder, and that such review and representations could now be made by any person, noting that the Sub-Committee would need to weigh any such matter appropriately.

The meeting closed at 11:25am