Council and Police Annual Licensing Report

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND INFORMATION AND COUNTY TREASURER

This report has been produced in accordance with the ‘Protocol of Enforcement between the Isle of Wight Council and Hampshire Constabulary. It informs members of enforcement action taken and sets out how effective the protocol is proving to be.

1. During the last year, the Police and the Council continued to improve joint working through the Public Entertainment and Liquor Licensing Enforcement Protocol. Quarterly meetings involving senior officers of the Council and the Police take place where key issues have been identified and developed. This results in joint visits being carried out by Police and Licensing Officers to both Liquor Licensed premises and premises licensed for Public Entertainment. Set out below are the main actions agreed during joint meetings last year:-

♦ Investigate whether it is possible to suspend the registration of a door steward who is under police investigation.

♦ All Island “Fun Pubs” have been visited to ascertain if a Public Entertainment Licence is required.

♦ Implement enforcement procedure in relation to CCTV licence conditions if CCTV is found not to be working.

2. The protocol has ensured a consistent approach to enforcement and thereby improved our relationship with door stewards and licencees.

3. The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have requested to become signatories to the protocol. This is a positive step forward as the Fire Service has a considerable input into public safety for premises licensed for Public Entertainment. It will improve joint working. The amended protocol is set out at Appendix A.

4. Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires local authorities to consider the community safety implications when deciding on licence applications.

Set out below is the information received from Hampshire Constabulary on Police enforcement in licensed premises during 2000/2001:-

RECOMMENDATION

That the report be noted.

1. Since the protocol was introduced and late night joint enforcement implemented, the number of inspections carried out by the Police Licensing Sergeant and the Council’s Senior Licensing Officer totalled 95 of which 60 have been carried out this year.

2. The result of these joint enforcement visits included a hackney carriage driver being given a written warning for aggressive driving as observed by Sergeant Palmer and the Senior Licensing Officer.

3. Clearly defined Public Entertainment Licensing enforcement procedure information is shared with the police and the Council is better placed to ascertain whether Licensees are fit and proper persons to hold a licence.

4. By using the protocol and ensuring joint enforcement takes place, the Council and Police will be better placed to take on any proposed changes from central Government in relation to the transfer of Liquor Licensing. The Government’s plans to move liquor licensing to local authorities is now likely to take place in 2004/2005.

5. Officers have prepared Committee Reports for Decision by the Licensing Committee as set out at Appendix B. (Figures in brackets are from the previous year).

6. 1078 (1058) licences were granted or renewed. Also 209 (173) registrations and 60 (108) permits were issued as per Appendix C.

7. Officers carried out 974 (972) inspections (as set out in Appendix D), issued 4,392 (4,208) letters, 47 (56) informal notices, 2 (7) formal warnings, and 13 (15) suspensions (these do not include Committee decisions), as well as 4 formal Cautions and 1 prosecution.

Training Carried out by Licensing Section

No. Trained

No. of Courses Organised

Door Stewards

Members

On going

9. During the year, consultation has taken place with ‘Club Watch’, other Public Entertainment licensees and the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trade. A detailed report on Dezoning of Hackney Carriages on the Island, was prepared for the Hackney Carriage Working Party which involved consultation with the general public by way of the MORI Poll, the Taxi and Private Hire Trade, various business associations and other interested parties. The resolution to request the Trade to form one Island Association will hopefully have a marked improvement in the cooperation and consultation between the Taxi Trade and your Officers. An all-Island Taxi Proprietors Association has been formed and resulted in a marked improvement in cooperation and consultation between the taxi trade and your Officers. It may result in an all-island taxi proprietors association and agree certain matters prior to meeting members.