Agenda and minutes

Apologies for the meeting were received from Councillors R Bennett, I Brown and S Rainford.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests.

There was no public participation.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed.

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Committee about a letter circulated to local authorities by the Home Office regarding the spiking of drinks and advising Committee of the steps taken by the Council regarding this issue.

Members were reminded of numerous reports in the press and media regarding an apparent increase in the spiking of drinks in late 2021.

The report included an open letter sent on 1 April 2022 by the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Probation which was circulated to local authority licencing committees.

The report explained the offences and their maximum penalties in relation to drinks spiking, and the reclassification of a drug being used to spike drinks and its consequential change in maximum sentencing and imprisonment.

The Council had distributed documents prepared by Lancashire Constabulary and a local security company providing information and guidance for premises to licenced premises and at relevant meetings.

Information and advice for residents in relation to this issue had also been posted on the Council’s website on 16 December 2021.

There had been reports of drink spiking in the Ribble Valley but no patterns or repeat premises had been identified.

Committee discussed potential ways in which members of the public could protect themselves in respect of this issue.

Copy enclosed.

Committee received the minutes of the Ribble Valley Event Safety Advisory Group held on 12 May 2022.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed.

Members were provided training with an overview of the Licensing Act 2003.

None.

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

None.

There were no items under this heading.