Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Boast, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

NOTED that

1.            Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bond and Dreblow.

2.            Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Zinkin, Heathwood, Constantinides, Giladi and T Smith.

Members of the Committee are invited to identify any personal or prejudicial interests relevant to items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on the 19^th April 2005.

RECEIVED the Minutes of the last meeting that was held on 19^th April 2005.

RESOLVED that these Minutes be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

To receive the Director of Environment, Street Scene and Parks Proposed Extension of Controlled Alcohol Zones Report. (Report No.288)

RECEIVED the report of the Director of Environment, Street Scene and Parks (No. 288) proposing the introduction of new controlled alcohol zones and noting that the Licensing Committee had delegated power to agree the extension of controlled alcohol zones, subject to a statutory consultation process.

NOTED

1.         That the current proposals excluded Trent Park as there were yet a few issues to be resolved.

2.         The explanation of the five-phase approach to implementation of the zones.

3.         The phase 1 proposal to introduce a rough guide of 100m radius zone around London Underground and rail stations, stretched to include any nearby licensed premises.

4.         The intention to include some parts of the Welsh Estate, subject to receipt of evidence of need from the Police.

5.         The boundaries of open spaces and parks would constitute the zone boundaries.

6.         The recommendations as set out in paragraph 2 of the report.

7.            Councillor Charalambous’ request that Palmers Green Station be included in the proposals.

8.         An explanation of the figures in brackets on pages 17 – 18.  These were the number of access points where notices would be posted.

9.         The typographical error on page 10 of the report.  The sentence should read ‘….Great Cambridge Road to the Hertford Road’.

10.       Any minor amendments to the zones could be actioned under Delegated Powers.

11.       It was anticipated that implementation of the first phase would be by the Spring of this year.  Consultation on all five phases would be carried out simultaneously with the erection of signs prioritised over intervals of weeks rather than months.

12.       The concerns raised by Councillor Mattingly that the Police might not have the resources to cope with an extension to the controlled alcohol zones.  It was understood that Police support was sought before the implementation of any of the proposed zones.

13.            Councillor Mattingly asked whether there was a need for a Byelaw rather than an extension of these zones throughout the borough.  It was confirmed that the need for these zones was evidence based with ‘hot spots’ identified.

14.            Councillor Egan raised the issue of signage and said that the current wording did not reflect the powers of the Community Police Support Officers.  Officers undertook to address this issue.

RESOLVED that

(1)       The contents of the report be noted;

(2)       The introduction of the recommended controlled alcohol zones be agreed; and

(3)       The new controlled alcohol zones include the area around Palmers Green Station.

To receive the Director of Environment, Street Scene and Parks Report, Monitoring the Council’s Licensing Functions. (Report No. 289)

RECEIVED the report of the Director of Environment Street Scene and Parks (No. 289) providing information and identifying activities undertaken to discharge the Council’s licensing functions for the period 1 January 05 to 31 December 05.

NOTED

1.         The typographical error on 2.1 of the report.  Replace ‘Panel’ with ‘Committee’.

2.         A future report would be submitted to the Committee with further statistics and information.

3.            Reports 288 and 289 would be considered at the next meeting of the Environment Parks and Amenities Scrutiny Panel on 7^th February.  This was welcomed by the Chairman.

4.         In answer to a question put by Councillor Charalambous, it was confirmed that Officers were preparing for the new Gambling Act.  A draft policy would be in place by Summer 06 after being considered at this Committee by April/May.

5.            Officers clarified the analysis samples as set down on page 10 of the report.  Officers undertook to prepare a more in-depth analysis for consideration at the next meeting of this Committee.

6.            Councillor Mattingly referred to the Amusement with Prizes Permits (AWP machines) as set down in paragraph 4.7 of the report.  It was clarified that Officers would not normally refer the presence of one or two machines to the Licensing Panel for their consideration.  AWP machines could not legally be placed in premises that did not sell alcohol.

7.            Councillor Egan explained the background of why one application had been referred back to the Local Authority.

8.         It was Councillor Constantinides wish that should a high number of Local Authority Licensing decisions be overturned at appeal, Officers should compare Enfield’s policies with those of other Authorities to see whether ours could be strengthened.

9.            Officers undertook to investigate the most appropriate way of communicating with Licensing Panel Members reasons why any applications they had heard, had been over turned on appeal.

RESOLVED that

(1)       Those decisions delegated to officers in respect of AWP machines be the subject of regular reporting to the Licensing Committee;

(2)       The Licensing Committee receives feedback on Local Authority licensing decisions overturned by Appeal with a view to strengthening any areas of weakness within the licensing process;

(3)       A further meeting of this Committee be arranged to take place before the end of the current Municipal Year; and

(4)       A vote of thanks was extended to all Officers within the Licensing Team on the efficient way they had carried out their difficult and heavy duties over the past twelve months.  The Chairman also personally thanked those Members who had sat on the many Licensing Panels that had taken place over the past months.