Agenda item

This report seeks approval to formally adopt the Statement of Licensing Policy and proposed Cumulative Impact Zones within Brent.

AGREED

(1)     To approve the Statement of Licensing Policy as detailed within Appendix A of the report and Cumulative Impact Zones as detailed within Appendix B of the report.   

(2)     To note that the Cumulative Impact zones proposed would need to be reviewed within 3 years.

Councillor Miller introduced the report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment seeking approval to adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy and accompanying Cumulative Impact Zones proposed within Brent.  He began by thanking the Licensing Team for their work in developing the Policy and the members of the public and other stakeholders who had responded to the consultation.  Highlighting the power of local democracy as a means of improving people’s quality of life, increasing local community control and social harmony he felt the proposals contained in the Policy were innovative.  They would, he pointed out, provide the Licensing Committee with the powers needed to ensure the boroughs high streets were able to continue providing a diverse offer in terms of regulating off-licence provision and would also have a positive impact in terms of public health and in addressing alcohol related anti-social behaviour.  Subject to the policy being approved, Members were advised that Brent would become one of the first Local Authorities to adopt a series of Cumulative Impact Zones designed to prevent the growth of off-licenses and encourage applicants to include a voluntary condition relating to minimum pricing for the sale of alcohol in areas where street drinking and alcohol related crime already existed.  This could also be used to address issues in relation to the sale of alcohol to underage customers and help shape the market in terms of alcohol sales by encouraging more responsible off-licence holders.  The policy had also been designed to favour a more diverse provision from off-license premises and support the provision and development of a more varied night time economy aimed at enhancing leisure and entertainment facilities, subject to the appropriate safeguards and in support of the Mayor for London’s and Council’s efforts to support the high street and Brent as the 2020 Borough of Culture.

In concluding his opening statement, Councillor Miller highlighted the extent to which the proposals had been welcomed by residents, through the extensive public consultation process and would rebalance power in support of local communities and compliant businesses and bring about practical and real change.  On this basis, he commended the Policy and accompanying Cumulative Impact Zones to Members for approval.

The Mayor then opened the debate inviting other Members to speak on the report.

Highlighting his role as a member of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Maurice outlined how the Committee sought to act in as fair and robust a way as possible when exercising their licensing functions.  This would involve taking the necessary action to revoke or suspend licenses where applicants had clearly not complied with their licensing requirements or conditions imposed.  Concern was, however, expressed regarding the impact and enforcement of the Public Space Protection Orders in place across a number of areas within the borough, designed to tackle street drinking, particularly within the Queensbury and Preston Road areas.  Given the problems caused, Councillor Maurice advised that he would like to see more robust enforcement activity in relation to these areas.

Councillor Kennelly also spoke in support of the Policy but felt further analysis was needed in relation to the impact on Brent’s night-time economy, given the area of growth this represented for the economy across the whole of London.  Concerns were also highlighted in relation to the impact which the loss of key staff within the Council’s Licensing Team would have moving forward and at the enforceability of some aspects of the Policy in relation to the increasing levels of alcohol home delivery services and the use of alcohol in open spaces.  Whilst this would require further work with local licenced businesses, he advised he remained supportive of the approach within the Policy.

Councillor Donnelly-Jackson in expressing support for the Policy, also took the opportunity to highlight concerns around the lack of licensing controls on firework displays, given the level of public nuisance these could cause, especially for animal owners.

As a final contribution to the debate, Councillor Mitchell-Murray also took the opportunity to thank the staff within the Licensing Team for their support to the Licensing Committee.

As no further issues were raised, Councillor Miller, in exercising his right of reply echoed the support expressed for staff within the Licensing Team, with specific reference to Yogini Patel for her role in leading the Team and work in developing the Policy Statement.  Referring to the issue highlighted in respect of fireworks, he also supported the need for these displays to become licensable activities and highlighted the similar campaign he had been supporting in relation to shisha cafés.  In terms of impact on the night-time economy, Councillor Miller advised that he recognised this as an issue but felt it would require further review along with the introduction of the minimum pricing option once the refreshed Policy Statement had been implemented.  The support for the Policy Statement expressed by members of the Licensing Committee was also welcomed, but Councillor Miller felt there was a need to address the concerns raised in relation to enforcement of the Public Space Protection Orders to tackle street drinking.  Whilst recognising the additional resources now being made available he felt it was important to highlight the impact which the overall budget reductions imposed on the police and other public service as a result of the Government’s austerity programme were having in terms of their ability to support this type of enforcement activity.  He felt this would continue to be an issue until the funding required by public services was properly addressed by the Government.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Miller for his closing statement and then put the recommendations to the vote by a show of hands and they were unanimously declared CARRIED.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the Statement of Licensing Policy as detailed within Appendix A of the report and Cumulative Impact Zones as detailed within Appendix B of the report.  

(2)    To note that the Cumulative Impact zones proposed would need to be reviewed within 3 years.