Meeting documents

Councillors Mrs Shields (in the Chair), Mrs Arnold, MrsCowling, Huntington, Mrs Keal and Mrs Taylor.

 

Mrs L Carter, Miss C Gaynor and S Richmond.

 

Apologies for absence were received from CouncillorPreston.

 

405. Minutes

 

The minutes of a meeting of the Licensing Committee held on5 October 2006 were presented.

 

 

406. Licensing Sub Committee

 

The minutes of a meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee heldon 3 January 2007 were presented.

 

 

407. Urgent Business

 

The Chairman reported that there were no items to beconsidered as a matter of urgency by virtue of Section 100B(4)(b)of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

408. Declarations of Interest

 

There were no interests declared.

 

409. Update on the Gambling Act 2005 and Licensing Act2003

 

The Environmental Health Manager submitted a report(previously circulated) the purpose of which was to update Memberson the progress of the Gambling Act 2005 and to review theimplementation of the Licensing Act 2003.

 

The Environmental Health Manager reported that the date forthe Council (as the Licensing Authority) to receive advanceapplications for Premises Licences from existing operators(applying for continuation rights) had been put back by threemonths. The new date from which Licensing Authorities were toreceive applications for the Gambling Act Premises Licences wouldbe 30 April 2007. The new deadline for existing operators toreceive continuation rights was 31 July 2007. This effectivelymeant that the Licensing Authority had three months less to processapplications. The report listed the legislation that had beenreceived from the DCMS for consultation.

 

Officers had produced and delivered an extensive informationpack to all bookmakers and arcades within Ryedale who would beaffected by the new legislation. The pack consisted of generalinformation, draft copies of applications forms for Premises,Operating and Personal Licences and the likely feestructures.

 

Licensing Act 2003

 

It was just over one year since the coming into force of theLicensing Act 2003. Since the initial date of 7 February 2005 whenapplications could be made to the Council, and up to the date of 24November, when the Act came into force the Council have issued thefollowing:

Subsequent to 24 November the following have been dealtwith:

The first annual fees had been prepared and sent out. To datethe section had recovered 97% of the annual fees. Of the threeoutstanding premises, two were no longer operating and one was withthe legal department for recovery.

 

The Gambling Act 2005 imposed new statutory duties on theCouncil. The framework for dealing with this new requirement waslargely in place following the introduction of the Licensing Act2003. Council had approved the Statement of Licensing Policy on 9November 2006. Since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003,the fears of late night disorder due to extended drinking times hadnot been realised.

 

Members agreed that they would wish to address the settlementof fees for the Gambling Act 2005 rather than they be decided byCouncil. Members agreed that a letter of appreciation be sent tothe Licensing staff thanking them for their continuedefforts.

 

 

410. Any Other Items Which the Chairman Decides areUrgent

 

No urgent business received.