Agenda item

Briefing Note of Director of Public Protection and Licensing

4.1      Steve Rowe, Senior Licensing Practitioner, addressed the Committee on this item.  He advised that Key Performance Indicators had been developed to ensure efficient progress of all applications, effective case management and the provision of a high quality service.  This was reflected in the digital transformation of the Licensing Service.  An online form had been created for applicants to fill in which would populate data into the Licensing Service’s Uniform system.  This reduced the amount of time that officers would otherwise be using for data input.  It enabled them to focus more on managing the interaction between applicants, residents and responsible authorities at the initial stages of the application process.  They could then determine which applications were likely to proceed to a Licensing Sub-Committee hearing.    

4.2      Mr Rowe commented that Members of the Committee would be aware that the Licensing Service was now making representations to applications as the Licensing Authority.  Officers had found that on a number of occasions applicants were amending applications at the initial stage following discussions with officers and these applications were often resolved prior to proceeding to the Licensing Sub-Committee.  In some cases applications had been withdrawn when it had been pointed out by officers to the applicants that they were contrary to policy.         

4.3      Mr Rowe referred to the statistics set out in the briefing note that the Licensing Service receives over 6000 applications a year, of which approximately 160 applications require determination at Licensing Sub-Committee hearings.  He believed there was the potential for the continued reduction in the number of applications proceeding to the hearings due to the proactive approach by officers at the initial stage. 

4.4      The Sub-Committee was also advised by Mr Rowe of the effectiveness of the performance dashboard which would monitor and report on performance and key information that would enable the Licensing Service to better understand trends.  It would be possible to assess for instance how the Evening and Late Night Economy was operating in terms of how many applications for restaurants or bars were being received or where officers could best be allocated applications so that the Licensing Service did not miss performance targets.

4.5      The Chairman welcomed the fact that the technology enabled the Licensing Service to be more efficient with the resources available.  She welcomed the ability to better understand trends such as applications where food and drink delivery services were sought.  Members of the Committee congratulated officers in the Licensing Team on the work set out in the briefing note. 

4.6      Councillor Floru asked for clarification in respect of the briefing note which referred to an increased number of licensing applications received each month but that the number of licences issued each month had remained reasonably steady.  Mr Rowe replied that the applications received also took into account temporary event notices.  No licences were issued for temporary event notices.  Councillor Burbridge asked for further details on the Licensing Service’s role in making representations to applications as the Licensing Authority.  Mr Simpkin provided the information that the Licensing Authority is a Responsible Authority and officers had taken on this role in terms of assessing applications in line with the Council’s policy.  This function had previously been mainly carried out by Environmental Health but they were now focussing purely on whether applications met the licensing objectives of public safety and preventing public nuisance.         

4.7       RESOLVED: That the contents of the briefing note be noted.