Agenda and draft minutes

To note any substitution of Committee Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19 -22.

Cllr Lucy Musk substituted for Cllr Cathy Watson

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Cathy Watson

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 08 01 2024  (previously circulated).

Chair noted a date error in the previous minutes, 8^th January 2024 should read 28^th June 2024. Members confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June were approved as a correct record of the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Resident Services and Climate Change)

The Street Trading Policy was last approved in 2018 and is due for review. The current Policy has been reviewed and there are only minor amendments (as listed in paragraph 3.8). As there are no significant changes, and in accordance with section 7.2 of the Policy, a public consultation on the changes is not required.

Members raised the following questions and points:

Member queried how the stores in the town centre are managed around risk of nuisance and safety. Officer confirmed the setup of stores, outside of the street trading policy, go through the Estates team to be approved.

RESOLVED:

(Unanimous)

The panel recommended that members consider the attached revised policy in Appendix 1 (including Appendices A-G) and recommend to full council that it is approved for the next five years.

Report of the Executive Director (Resident services and Climate Change)

The statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 has been produced in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 and with regard to the Home Office guidance (issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act), which was last updated in December 2023. The purpose of the Statement of Licensing Policy is to set out the policies of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council for carrying out its functions and responsibilities as the licensing authority under the Licensing Act 2003. The Statement of Licensing Policy was last approved by full Council on 7 January 2020. The Policy is due for review and approval by full council before the end of the 5-year period.

Members raised the following questions and points:

Member noted the legislation being bought in to support the established licensed premises is a very positive and welcome change.

RESOLVED:

(Unanimous)

The Licensing Committee Panel approved the public consultation to take place.

There were no other items of business.

The Committee is asked to resolve:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for item XX and XX (if any) on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100A(3) and Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Chair noted the exclusion of press & public to begin.

Report of the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change)

The committee received the report from Executive Director of Residents Service and Climate Change, Sue McDaid, on Revocation of private hire diver license under delegated authority.

Following discussion, the committee noted the paper.