Agenda item

Report of the Environmental Health Team Manager

The Environmental Health Team Manager presented the report to Members.

In response to a question from Councillor G Jones, the Licensing Team Leader explained that background checks were not undertaken by the Council in relation to the people running the premises; this was done by the Gambling Commission.

Councillor T Neilson asked if there was any statutory guidance on what was to be included in the Local Area Profile.  The Licensing Team Leader reported that the Gambling Commissions guidance had only been released within the last two weeks and the Council’s Local Area Profile had already been drafted.  He explained that the lack of complaints from consultees indicated that it was sufficient.

Regarding the licensing objective to protect children and other vulnerable people, Councillor T Neilson asked if there were any examples of what was currently happening or a list of what might be required.  The Licensing Team Leader explained that people were monitored when using certain types of machines and he was impressed with how it was being handled in the area.  In response to a further question on the matter, the Licensing Team Leader reported that in premises licensed to sell alcohol, the number of machines permitted was restricted to two with low stakes of a maximum of one pound. The machines had to be placed in the sight of the bar staff within the premises and it was essentially the staff’s responsibility to monitor the usage.  He concluded that there had been no complaints received.

In response to a question from Councillor T Neilson regarding the list of bodies consulted as detailed within appendix B of the report, the Environmental Health Team Manager confirmed that ‘other faith groups’ should be removed as it was the Salvation Army only.

Councillor M Specht referred to fixed odd betting terminals and was pleased that they did not seem to be a problem in the area; he asked how often they would be monitored.  The Licensing Team Leader reported that all of the licensed premises in the area had these types of machines and that they had been visited twice so far this year on an ad hoc basis.

In relation to the risk assessment for premises that was undertaken when applying for a licence, Councillor N Clarke asked why this would reduce the amount of review required.  The Licensing Team Leader explained that it was a form of self compliance and by assessing themselves they would gain a better understanding of the area. The Environmental Health Team Manager added that the risk assessment helped the officers when considering an application with regards to adding conditions and after ten years of legislation there had been no licence reviews.

Councillor T Eynon commented that she was pleased that the Leicestershire Partnership NHS had been consulted but was disappointed that the Primary Care trust had not.  She also expressed concerns that there was nothing in the report to indicate how the outcomes would be measured so there was no data to rely on.

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by T Neilson and

RECOMMENDED THAT:

The Review of Gambling Act Statement of Licensing Policy be approved when considered by Council.

Councillor M Specht raised a complaint regarding taxi drivers that beep their horns when picking up customers no matter what time of day it was.  This was happening where he lived and it was disturbing the residents.  The Community Services Portfolio Holder concurred that it was a problem and agreed to raise it at the next Taxi Drivers Forum.  The Licensing Team Leader informed the Committee that the next Taxi Drivers Forum would be held on 24 November.

The Chairman invited Members to join the licensing team and the police to observe monitoring checks being carried out over the Christmas period.  The checks would be carried out on 21 November and 8,9,10 December.  Further details of how to take part would be included on the Members Weekly Bulletin.