Agenda and minutes

Apologies for the meeting were received from Councillors G McCrum and D Brocklehurst.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2024 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 of the expiry of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) in respect of the Whalley and Painter Wood Ward on 30 April 2025, and to seek Committee’s approval for review of the CIA.

The Council’s Solicitor advised Members as to the background to the CIA being introduced, the reasons for its implementation and the implications for those applying for new premises licences or variation of existing licences which fall within its remit.  The Whalley CIA was last renewed in 2022 and is effective for a three year period.  The Council’s Solicitor advised that there was quite a lengthy process involved in order to determine whether the CIA should be renewed and the report identified the steps that need to be followed.  It was proposed that enquiries and informal consultations should take place at this time.

Councillor M Hindle was granted permission to speak and spoke in support of the CIA being renewed.

Concerns were raised with regards to a few establishments within Whalley, the behaviour of some of their patrons and the impact this is having upon local residents.  The Council’s Solicitor did clarify that the CIA is a tool relevant only to applications being made.  If concerns are raised in relation to specific licensed premises, the appropriate course of action would be to seek a review of their licence.  The CIA is not a ground  that is considered in determining whether to revoke a premises licence.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.     Authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to make enquiries of the responsible authorities to assess whether there is sufficient evidence to support a cumulative impact policy for the Whalley Ward and the area to which the policy would relate.

2.     Consult informally with licensees in the Whalley Ward, the Parish Council and community groups.

3.     Report back to Committee with recommendations based on the responses received.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking Committee’s views on whether there was a need for any working groups under the remit of this Committee.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve that there is currently no need for a working group under the remit of the Licensing committee.

Minutes of Sub-Committee on 17 May 2024

The minutes of the Sub-Committee held on 17 May 2024 were noted.

There are no items under this heading

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

There were no items under this heading.