Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mahil.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 13 July 2021.

The record of the meeting held on 13 July 2021 was agreed and signed by the Chairman. 

There were none. 

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.  Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 4.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

 The purpose of this report is to enable the Licensing Authority to present its annual report in respect of licensing compliance and enforcement.

Discussion:

The Committee considered a report which incorporated compliance and enforcement annual reports from Licensing and the Environmental Services as Appendices A and B respectively.

The Licensing Manager advised the Committee that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns had been that compliance and enforcement inspections and visits carried out by the Licensing team were on a reactive, intelligence led and risk-rated basis. However, proactive inspections and visits had now resumed in partnership with relevant agencies, the most recent being with the Immigration Service.

Asked why it appeared that only two taxi inspections had taken place in 2019/20, the Licensing Manager explained that these were in response to complaints that had been received. Garage inspections were carried out on all licensed vehicles on an annual basis for plating with an interim inspection carried out after 6 months. The low number of Temporary Event Notice inspections was due to the low number of complaints received.

With reference to scrap metal dealers, the Licensing Manager was asked if the Council worked with the Environment Agency on enforcement action. She advised that the Environment Agency maintained a register of licenced scrap metal dealers and waste suppliers and the Environmental Enforcement team would liaise with the agency regarding legal action if anyone was found not to have the required licence. The Licensing Manager was also asked if there had been any analysis of the reasons why a complaint could not be fully investigated due to a lack of evidence. It was suggested that there might be a need for greater guidance on what evidence was required when submitting a complaint. The Licensing Manager agreed to include analytical data in relation to all complaints received and to discuss with Environmental Services how the analysis for Scrap Metal and Street Trading could be built into their future reports.

Decision:

The Committee noted the reports at Appendices A and B of the agenda report and requested that future reports include a breakdown of why complaints were not fully investigated due to a lack of evidence.

This report updates Members on the progress of the Shared Licensing Service between Gravesham Borough Council and Medway Council.

Discussion:

The Committee received an update report on the shared licensing service between Gravesham and Medway. This included an overview of the use of resources; performance risks and emerging issues; new ways for working and value for money; and workforce development.

Asked about the hybrid working arrangements within the service, the Licensing Manager explained that two members of staff were in the office every day with the rest working remotely and that this arrangement had proved very successful. Consideration was currently being given to how best to fill a vacancy within the service.

The Licensing Manager commended her team for their hard work and diligence during what had been a very difficult and challenging period. Members noted the challenges that the team had faced due to the Covid pandemic and also a staff vacancy and praised staff for their efforts and achievements during this time. The Chairman asked the Licensing Manager to pass on to staff the thanks of the Committee.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report at Appendix A to the agenda report.

The Committee is asked to review the memberships of its sub-committees, these being the Licensing Sub-Committee, Licensing Hearing Panels and Licensing 1982 Act Hearing Panels.

Discussion:

The Committee considered a report requesting that it review the membership of its sub-committees following the change in the allocation of seats on the Committee agreed by Full Council on 7 October 2021.

Decision:

That the size, allocation of seats and memberships of the Licensing Sub-Committee, Licensing Hearing Panels and Licensing 1982 Act Hearing Panels remain as set out in Appendix 1 to the agenda report.