Agenda item

Determination of Licence Fees

Report of the Chief Licensing Officer

Minutes:

4.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report on the Licensing Fees Review (Determination of Fees) for the 2014/15 Financial Year, and attaching, as appendices, a breakdown of the Licensing Service’s budget for 2015/16, proposed fees for the different licensing services and functions, details of the statutory fees and a schedule of fees relating to the safety of sports grounds.

 

 

4.2

In response to questions raised by Members, Steve Lonnia stated that there were six ongoing cases regarding the Commons Registration Act, and until these matters were in their final stages, it was difficult to predict the financial impact on the budget, however, the budget was kept under constant review and a report would be brought to the Committee if necessary.  Steve Lonnia also stated that there had been no need to consult with licence holders regarding the fees for the financial year as there had been no changes, but Members felt that consultation, rather than negotiation, could be done via the website, inviting comment.

 

 

4.3

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

 

 

4.4

Marie-Claire Frankie reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the report.

 

 

4.5

At this point in the proceedings, the meeting was re-opened to the public and press and attendees.

 

 

4.6

RESOLVED: That (a) in the light of the contents of the report now submitted and following the representations now made, authority be given for the Chief Licensing Officer to impose the fees for 2014/15 in respect of the various functions of the Licensing Service, as detailed in the report now submitted;

 

 

 

(b) an enforcement report be drafted detailing the current position including staff numbers, working patterns, how enforcement is managed, whether it be proactive or reactive and what the service could provide, would additional staff benefit and what would the cost implications be; and

 

 

 

(c) a Committee meeting be held to discuss the report before the end of July 2015.

 

Supporting documents: