There were no apologies for absence.

There were no disclosures of interest. 

To submit for signature the minutes of the meeting held on XX

The minutes of the meeting held on the 18 March 2013 were submitted and signed.

Since the last Committee the following Licensing Sub-Committee hearings have taken place:

·         Lollo Rosso (30 July 2013) Councillor D Scudder (Chair), Councillor Meerabux and Councillor Saffery

·         Tesco (10 September 2013) Councillor Derbyshire (Chair), Councillor Lynch and Councillor Meerabux

·         Paparazzi (19 September 2013) (adjourned) Councillor J Brown (Chair), Councillor Meerabux and Councillor Saffery

·         Yellow and Red Lion (2 October 2013) Councillor Derbyshire (Chair), Councillor Jeffree and Councillor Meerabux

·         Beavers (7 October 2013) Councillor J Brown (Chair), Councillor Meerabux and Councillor Saffery

The minutes of each meeting will be submitted for signature.

Licensing Sub-Committee minutes available to view on the Council’s website:
 http://watford.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=133

The Committee received an update on the Licensing Sub-Committee hearings which had taken place since the last Committee meeting. 

The minutes were submitted to the Chairs of each Sub-Committee for approval.

Report of the Head of Community and Customer Services.

The Committee is asked to recommend to Council that it adopts the amended Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services setting out the proposed changes to the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy following consultation.

          The Licensing Manager introduced the report.  He drew the Committee's attention to a number of corrections which needed to be made to the report.  He referred to paragraph 3.14 which should read "The proposal in the draft policy LP4 to define three SLAs was on the basis that there was not any evidence from local residents".  He noted that on Page 9 the date of full Council should read 20 November 2013.  On Page 22, paragraph 6 should read "Where relevant representations against the sale of alcohol after 10 pm have been received…".

          The Licensing Manager highlighted the key changes to the Policy.  The Policy was the result of the consultation which had been taking place.  He noted that it would last for five years although it could be reviewed earlier if required.  He explained that the technical changes were set out in paragraph 1.2.  The Policy recognised that an Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO) may be a tool that the Council wished to consider in the future although the latest crime figures suggested it was not required at present.  The Policy introduced four Sensitive Licensing Areas in the majority of St Albans Road, as well as parts of Whippendell Road, Queens Road and Market Street.  This was not a cumulative impact policy but when applications were received in the areas the Licensing Authority would consider making representations.  This was quite a flexible policy and representations would not necessarily be made for every application.  The policy would not apply to existing premises unless they applied to change their licence.

          Councillor Turmaine asked how the Sensitive Licensing Areas policy would be monitored.  The Licensing Manager responded that an annual report of the Licensing Act 2003 was brought to the Licensing Committee each Spring and information about Sensitive Licensing Areas would be included from 2015.

          Councillor Turmaine referred to the policy about petrol-filling stations and asked whether data would be available.  The Licensing Manager said that if an application came before a Sub-Committee sales and footfall data would be made available.  He confirmed in response to Councillor Jeffree that the intensity of use was the relevant consideration. 

          In response to a further question from Councillor Turmaine, the Licensing Manager suggested that there may have been an error in paragraph 3.20 of the report, the last sentence should probably read "and a smaller number in Queens Road or elsewhere".

          Councillor I Brown referred to the policy on EMROs and asked whether any had been introduced.  The Chair reported that she had spoken to a councillor from Hartlepool who said that late-night operators had funds available to oppose any local authority which introduced an EMRO.  The only appeal against it was a judicial review which could be very expensive.  The Licensing Manager was aware that a number of authorities had considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.