Agenda and draft minutes

To record the attendance of substitute members, if any, who have been authorised to attend in accordance with the provisions of standing order 17(1) with notification having been given to the proper officer before the start of the meeting and to receive apologies for absence. 

Councillors Bob Johnston, John Morgan, and Val Shaw had sent apologies for absence. 

To adopt and sign as correct records the minutes of the committee meetings held on 26 November 2009 and 19 May 2010 (previously published). 

RESOLVED

To approve as correct records the committee’s minutes of 26 November 2009 and 19 May 2010 and agree that the chair signs them. 

To receive any declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.   

Councillor Richard Farrell declared a personal interest in the item on the licensing policy, as he was a chairman of the Blewbury Recreation Ground Management Committee that held a premises licence.  Councillor Terry Fraser declared a personal interest in the same item, as he was chairman of the Vale and Downland Museum and Lains Barn management committees, which held premises licences.  Councillor Alison Rooke declared a personal interest in the same item, as she was a member of the Abingdon Operatic Society.  Councillor Peter Saunders declared a personal interest as he held premises and personal licences.  Minute LA.8 refers.  

To receive notification of any matters, which the Chair determines, should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances, which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the Chair. 

None

Any statements, petitions and questions from the public under standing order 32 will be made or presented at the meeting. 

None

To consider report 27/10 of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services. 

The committee considered report 27/10 of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, which set out a draft statement of licensing policy.  This was a joint policy developed with South Oxfordshire District Council.  The Licensing Act 2003 required the council to publish its statement of licensing policy every three years.  The council approved the existing policy in December 2007; it was due for review.  In the absence of any guidance from the new coalition government, the council had to review its policy in line with the existing legislation.  However, if new legislation or guidance emerged, the council might have to review the policy again. 

The committee considered the draft policy and made the following amendments:

• Paragraph 15.2, amend the last line to read “…Appendix 5 to this policy.”

• Policy OS 11 to read, “A mandatory condition requires that free tap water is available on request where it is reasonably available.”

• Policy OS 13, amend the last line in the second paragraph to read, “…in the “Safer Nightlife” booklet…”

• Paragraph 44.2 under the “Planning” heading to read, “Planning controls are covered in paragraph 10 and Policy GN8.” 

• Appendix 3, paragraph A3.3.2 to read, “The strategy was produced through the South Oxfordshire Partnership…”

The committee asked the officers to check whether the legislation precluded notifying local members of variations to licences for village halls, and if not, to include this within the council’s notification procedure. 

The committee noted that a twelve-week public consultation would follow on the revised draft policy.  The committee would consider any responses to the consultation in the autumn before recommending the policy’s adoption to the council in December.  Councillors noted that the next committee meeting would be at South Oxfordshire’s offices. 

RESOLVED

To approve the amended draft joint statement of licensing policy for public consultation, as required by section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003. 

None