Issue - meetings

This report responds to informal feedback from Licensing Committee members around procedural arrangements for Licensing Sub Committees. It sets out the preferred options for attendance at meetings and asks members to consider any changes they may wish to make to the chairing of Sub Committees.

In reviewing these procedures, there is also an opportunity to update the existing protocols for public speaking at Licensing Committee and Sub Committees to reflect current arrangements and bring these together into one composite document for ease of reference.

The Senior Democratic and Overview and Scrutiny Officer presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The report set out three issues for consideration in relation to administrative arrangements for licensing sub committees.

The Committee was asked to formally agree the arrangements for attending meetings as set out in paragraph 5 of the report. These arrangements had recently been introduced in response to feedback from members. They included an expectation that sub committee members attend hearings in person for Licensing Act and Gambling Act business, in recognition of the benefits gained from members meeting together in person even when the legislation and regulations permitted them to convene remotely.

The Committee was also asked to consider whether to make any changes to arrangements for chairing sub committees, these currently required either the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee or in their absence an experienced member to chair sub committees. Options for amending these arrangements were set out in paragraph 8 of the report.

The Committee was advised that reviewing these procedures had presented an opportunity to update the existing remote and in person protocols for public speaking at licensing meetings, to reflect current arrangements and bring everything together into one composite document for ease of reference. A copy of the revised protocol was provided at appendix 1 of the report for members to consider, amend as required and agree.

The Chair explained that while the current arrangements for chairing sub committees had worked well, he would like other members to have the opportunity to chair if they were interested in doing so. It was noted that training would be made available to anyone expressing an interest. Chairs were also provided with comprehensive procedural notes to assist in the running of hearings.

In terms of the revised protocol the Committee was advised that very little had changed. There had been an opportunity to streamline the previous protocols into a single document which set out more clearly the differences in hearing procedures and decision notifications depending on the type of licensing business being considered.

Members expressed dissatisfaction with the current accommodation for meetings in the Committee Room and it was noted that this was now being progressed at senior political/corporate level.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  The Committee confirms arrangements for attendance at Licensing Sub Committees as set out in Paragraphs 4 to 6 of the report;

(b)  The Committee agrees to amend the arrangements for chairing sub committees to enable those members interested in chairing to put themselves forward, either now or at a later date;

(c)  The Committee agrees the revised Protocol for Public Speaking at Licensing Hearings attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

Voting: Unanimous