No apologies for absence were received.

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

·       Councillor Graham Cullen asked it be noted that he was a personal licence holder.

·       Councillor Andrew Leonard asked it be noted that he was a personal licence holder.

·       Councillor Carl Macey asked it be noted that he was a personal licence holder.

Report of the Group Manager Public Protection.

A report was submitted by the Group Manager Public Protection which enabled Members to consider proposed amendments to the Authority’s Licensing Policy (alcohol, regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment) prior to the submission of the amendments to the Council for adoption. 

The Principal Licensing Officer set out the background to the report and highlighted that Members were required to review and recommend acceptance to the full Council, as it was their responsibility to accept the updated policy document.

Members were reminded that they had considered the policy earlier this year and had discussions around drink spiking and night-time safety.

Members were referred to the proposed amendments to the current policy in Appendix A, pages 7 to 17 of the report refer. 

The following comments and questions were received:

A Member queried how the policy related to Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council, following which the Principal Licensing Officer confirmed that each Council was responsible for its own policies.

Following on from a query regarding ‘Application to Vary a DPS’, Section 4, page 13 of the report refers, the Principal Licensing Officer explained that only the police could object to a proposal for someone to be a Designated Premises Supervisor, however the Licensing Team could pass on any concerns that it had to the police, but it was ultimately the decision of the police.

With regards to night-time safety, a Member queried how the scheme ‘Ask for Angela’ was going to be advertised.  The Principal Licensing Officer advised that it was a nationwide campaign and to include it in the policy would help to promote the scheme.  Members were further advised that promotional material for the scheme was available online.

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

That the proposed amendments to the Licensing Policy (for alcohol, regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment) be recommended to Council for adoption.

The Meeting closed at 4:57pm.