minutes

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee Meeting held on 27th August 2009 (Minute Nos. 276 - 280) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee Meetings held on:

27th August 2009 (Minute Nos. 273 - 275)
10th November 2009 (Minute Nos. 311 - 313)
19th November 2009 (Minute Nos. 496 - 497)

were taken as read, and accepted by the Committee.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part b minutes for information

licensing policy of statement review

The Interim Head of Legal introduced the report which outlined the consultation process to formally review Swale Borough Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and identify the cost implications. Officers had been working to a tight timetable to ensure that the Policy was reviewed without further delay and the Interim Head of Legal apologised for the draft Licensing Policy and summary of proposed changes only being despatched to Members a few days before the meeting. Some Members' had still not received the draft Licensing Policy and were therefore unable to make a decision on such an important document.

Discussion ensued and Members considered that to ensure the timescales outlined in the report were adhered to, the item should be considered at the next full Council meeting. The Interim Head of Legal agreed that copies of the report, the draft Licensing Policy and the summary of proposed changes would be despatched the following day to all Councillors in time for the Council meeting on 3rd December 2009.

Democratic Services

In response to a query from a Member the Licensing Enforcement Officer clarified that the procedures for checking the ages of young people who appeared under the age of 21 to ensure that alcohol was not sold to those under 18, was current Police policy. He added that the Police were considering increasing this to 25 years.

part a minutes for approval by council

preparation for eu directive

The Interim Head of Legal introduced the report which set out the requirements imposed by the European Services Directive 2006/123/EC and set out arrangements being made by the Licensing Team to ensure Council complied with those requirements.

Members welcomed the report.

proposed licensing service standards

The Interim Head of Legal introduced the report which endorsed the Service Standards proposed for the Licensing Service, setting the level of service customers could expect from Swale Council's Licensing Service, if agreed, the Service Standards would then be published on Swale Council's website.

Members welcomed the report