Meeting Details

Apologies were received from Councillors Goldson, F Mortimer, T Mortimer, Smith-Lyte and Wiles.

Councillor Thompson attended the meeting as a Substitute for Councillor Smith-Lyte.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 July 2021 be confirmed as a correct  record and signed by the Chairman.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health introduced report ES/0921 which presented to the Committee the responses to the consultation on the draft Gambling Statement of Principles.  The Committee was being requested to consider the responses and approve the revised edition of the Gambling Statement of Principles.

Members were reminded that local authorities had responsibility for publishing a three year Statement of Principles.  The Council's last consultation and review was in 2018 and the current Statement had been published in January 2019 covering the period up to 31 January 2022.  Since that time, the Statement had been updated as set out in Appendix A to the report and approved for a four week consultation.  During that consultation period, one response had been received from GambleAware which was contained in Appendix B.

The Senior Licensing Officer advised that the revised Statement had come back to Committee for its approval so that the document could be put forward to Council for adoption.

In response to a question relating to the three year review, the Senior Licensing Officer advised that it was the Government's decision that a review should be undertaken every three years and the Council was following that guidance.

Members supported the content of the document and could see no issues with adopting the Statement of Principles.  There being no further debate, it was 

RESOLVED

That the revised edition of the Gambling Statement of Principles be approved in order that Full Council can adopt the Statement at its meeting in November, ready for publication on 31 January 2022. 

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health introduced report ES/0922 which provided Members with information relating to issued licenses in east Suffolk and gave an overview of the work of the Licensing Sub-Committees during the period July to September 2021.  The Cabinet Member advised that it was really helpful to see what the Licensing Sub-Committees had been considering and sought clarification that the Committee wished to continue receiving such a report.

The Acting Legal and Licensing Services Manager advised that the report was in addition to the monthly updates provided to Members.  He drew particular attention to paragraph 1.2 and the appeal to the Magistrates' Court on the Hog Hotel, Lowestoft, application.  The next appeal due to be heard on 10 December.  In paragraph 1.3 of the report, the new premises Licence for Skye Lounge, Felixstowe, had been granted on 5 October subject to conditions.  Overall, there had been an increase of seven licenced premises.

In relation to Taxi and Private Hire licences, the Acting Legal and Licensing Services Manager further advised that overall there had been a decrease in the number of hackney carriage vehicles and drivers and an increase in private hire vehicles and drivers.  There had been a reduction of one Private Hire Operators since the 1 July report.

In response to a question relating to the Hog Hotel appeal, the Acting Legal and Licensing Services Manager advised the Directions had been issued and the next hearing was scheduled for 10 December.  However, it was hoped to resolve the matter before that date.

Members welcomed receiving such a detailed and an informative report and 

RESOLVED

That the overview of the work of the Licensing Team and the Licensing Sub-Committees during the third quarter of 2021 be noted.