Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Horton and Turton-Leivers.

It was noted that, in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, notice had been given that Councillor Howard had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Cullen, for this Meeting only.

At this point in the Meeting, Members were invited to disclose any relevant interests.  The following interests were disclosed:

Councillors Leonard and Newman requested it be noted that they were personal licence holders.

Councillor Howard requested it be noted that he had known Mr. Michael Kheng, who would be representing one of the applicants, for a number of years and that he had once rented a building for him, although he no longer had any business contact with him.

Councillor Leonard requested it be noted that he also knew Mr. Kheng.

To confirm the Open and Exempt Minutes of the General Licensing Meeting held on 21 October 2019.

The Open and Exempt Minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 21 October 2019 were confirmed and signed as correct records.

Report of the Service Manager, Public Protection.

A report was presented by the Service Manager, Public Protection that provided Members with information about applications made for the transfer and renewal of a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2009).  The licence application had been made by Asak Leisure Limited in respect of the premises known as La Seduction, Lower Ground Floor, Grand Parade, Leisure Complex, Skegness, PE25 2UN.  The purpose of the report was to assist the Committee in determining the outcome of the licence applications.

The East Lindsey District Council, (ELDC), Licensing Policy stated that SEV applications should be determined by the General Licensing Committee and Members noted that the fact that the application had been presented to Committee was no reflection on the venue itself.

The Principal Licensing Officer outlined the options available to Members, detailed at Page 1, Paragraph 2 of the report presented.  It was highlighted that, if the application was approved, it would be subject to ELDC’s standard conditions for SEV’s.  However, the Legal Advisor had noted a discrepancy between the condition regarding CCTV retention proposed by the applicant for La Seduction and the standard ELDC condition.  The standard SEV licence conditions had been reviewed earlier in 2019 and, if the application presented was approved, the amended licence conditions would be included on the SEV licence for La Seduction.

There were no concerns regarding the location of the venue and no issues had been reported.  The ELDC SEV Licensing Policy stated that private performance areas would not normally be permitted in SEV’s unless officers were confident that there would be no issues for the performers.  Members noted that officers were satisfied with the provisions that were in place for private performance areas, although this should be considered every time the application was reviewed.

In accordance with Paragraph 6.9 of the report presented, (Supplementary Agenda page 8), Mr. Kheng, the applicant’s licensing consultant, had provided proof of the employees of La Seduction’s right to work in the UK and the daily log that was used.  In addition, Members noted that, in accordance with Paragraph 6.10 of the report presented, (Supplementary Agenda page 8), a written copy of the Safety Policy for the venue had been provided for the premises and proposed Condition 26, regarding physical contact, had been re-worded, (Paragraph 6.11 refers, Supplementary Agenda page 9).

The Principal Licensing Officer reminded attendees that, although the licence renewal application fee was currently set at £200, application fees were under review and the fee may have increased when the next licence renewal application was submitted for the venue.

The Chairman thanked the Principal Licensing Officer and invited the Licensing Compliance Officer to provide the Committee with information regarding the compliance visit that he had carried out at the premises.

The Licensing Compliance Officer informed Members that, prior to being asked to carry out the compliance visit, he had been unaware whether the premises had opened yet as he had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Report of the Service Manager, Public Protection.

A report was presented by the Service Manager, Public Protection that enabled Members to consider responses received following a six week consultation issued to the licensed trade and other interested parties regarding proposed amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Specification and Licensing Policy, and whether they wished to adopt the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Specification and Licensing Policy following the consultation.

Members noted that the current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Specification and Licensing Policy had been introduced in 2005 and that a full review of the Policy had not been carried out since then, although individual sections had been amended.

(The Licensing Compliance Officer entered at 4.47pm).

One response had been received to the consultation, from Mr. D. Blackburn on behalf of the Skegness Taxi Owners Association, (STOA).  The Principal Licensing Officer informed Members that one of the areas addressed within the consultation was vehicle emissions and whether the Policy should be amended to try to reduce them.  Members noted that, although Mr. Blackburn’s response to the consultation did not object to this, he did not believe that the age of vehicles should be taken into account, but their CO2 emissions, in accordance with Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) procedures.  The Principal Licensing Officer suggested that, if Members wished to approve the proposed amended Policy, they may request officers from the Licensing Team to propose amendments to deal with emissions which would then be submitted to the Committee for approval and issued for consultation.

Reference was made to Paragraph 2.9 of the report presented, (Agenda page 29).  Members noted that a further proposed amendment to the Policy was the inclusion of the requirement for all seats in hackney carriage vehicles to be unobstructed and easily accessible to passengers, with a minimum width of 400mm specified for any gap that an average sized adult may be required to pass through.  Members noted that this amendment had been made following incidents in which vehicles that had been granted hackney carriage licences had been found to be difficult to access for tall people, although they had appeared to be suitable when inspected.

Mr. Blackburn’s consultation response stated that seating in hackney carriage vehicles should be arranged in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.  However, the Principal Licensing Officer informed Members that hackney carriage vehicles in London were required to provide direct access and other local authorities also included this requirement within the hackney carriage vehicle specifications.  It was highlighted that, if Members approved the proposed amendment regarding seat widths, tip up seats would be permitted in private hire vehicles, although not in hackney carriage vehicles.  This was due to the fact that private hire vehicles could be booked in advance, providing members of the public with an opportunity to make requests regarding accessibility when they made their booking.

Members noted that applications had been received for vehicles with heavily tinted rear passenger windows to be used as hackney carriage vehicles in the past and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

Report of the Service Manager, Public Protection.

The Principal Licensing Officer informed Members that this application had been withdrawn from the Agenda pending the outcome of a planning application which, if approved, would address some of the concerns raised by the Licensing Team.