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The Committee received report ES/0441 by the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health. The report, presented by the Legal and Licensing Services Manager, provided an overview of the actions taken by Licensing Services to assist licensees during the Covid-19 global pandemic and currently, during the easing of the lock down arrangements and the recovery phase.
The Legal and Licensing Services Manager referred to the severe adverse impact on the licensed premises between 23 March and 4 July 2020 and summarised the main steps Licensing Services had taken in support of licensees:
- The deferral of payments of Premises Licence Fees until 30 September 2020
- Assisting premises on how to provide takeaways and off sales
- Issuing credits for application fees for Temporary Event Notices for events which were unable to proceed
- Signposting central government grants and hardship funds to those who may have been eligible to claim
He continued to outline the support provided to hackney carriage and private hire drivers:
- Allowing the cost of renewing an annual licence to be spread by granting three-month licences
- Identifying alternative garages for mechanical inspections to enable vehicles to remain licensed
- Allowing drivers to install protective screens in vehicles without an alteration to the vehicle's specification being required
- Signposting central government grants and hardship funds to those who may have been eligible to claim
With regard to community events, the Committee was informed that the Council wanted to encourage outdoor events during the summer months and so a simplified application process for a single event trading licence had been implemented including a commitment to consider the application within 24 hours of receipt.
The Legal and Licensing Services Manager said the Business and Planning Bill was currently going through Parliament; it would allow the Licensing Authority to issue Pavement Licences to enable the use of pavements outside licensed premises for tables and chairs.
The Committee was referred to the analysis of the impact of Covid-19 and to the identifiable trends that were emerging. The Legal and Licensing Services Manager said that a more accurate reflection of the impact would be provided to the October meeting of the Committee and he assured the members of the continued efforts of Licensing Services to address the challenges faced by the licensing trade and to aid the regrowth of this sector. It was confirmed that the table on page 47 (paragraph 5.5) of the report included public houses, restaurants, off licences, social clubs etc.
The Chairman invited questions by members of the Committee.
A member of the Committee referred to the use of Council land by licensed premises and asked how long the licences would be valid. It was explained that the land licences were being issued by Asset Management and were valid for six months with no fee.
The Committee wished to record its thanks to the Licensing Services officers for all their work during a very challenging period.
There being no further questions or matters raised for debate, the Chairman moved to the recommendation. It was proposed by Councillor Goldson, seconded by Councillor Ashdown and, by unanimous vote
RESOLVED
That, having received and commented upon the report, the Committee noted its contents.