Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of two referrals from the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny meeting held on 2 July 2020 in relation to selective licensing and consultation.

In relation to selective licensing, the comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee were set out paragraphs 2.4.2 to 2.4.8 of the report. The Committee agreed to recommend to the Cabinet that officers commence work to formally assess the need for selective and/or additional licensing in specific areas of Medway.

In relation to consultation, the comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee were set out paragraphs 2.5.1 to 2.5.2 of the report. The Committee agreed to ask Cabinet to review the consultation process across the Council, including response levels.

Reasons:

Whilst such licensing schemes are laudable and could yield distinct benefits, because of the additional revenue costs required and the uncertainty associated with any scheme being fully self-funding it is prudent to pause at this stage enabling the scheme to be considered at a future date when the Council’s financial position improves.