Decision
Analysis
outcome: The outcome of the decision was that the draft statement of licensing principles was approved and will come into effect on 31st January 2025.
summary: The decision at stake is whether to recommend the draft statement of licensing principles to full council for approval.
topline: The Licensing Committee has decided to approve the draft statement of licensing principles, despite some contention from the Betting and Gaming Council.
reason_contentious: This issue is somewhat contentious as there was a request from the Betting and Gaming Council to amend a specific paragraph in the draft statement, but the council ultimately decided not to make the alteration.
affected_stakeholders: ["Licensing Committee", "Worcestershire Regulatory Services", "Lotteries Council", "Betting and Gaming Council"]
contentiousness_score: 5
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://moderngovwebpublic.redditchbc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1110
Decision Maker: Licensing
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: The Principal Licensing Officer, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), presented the report to Members. The purpose of the report was for Members to consider the consultation responses and to resolve whether to recommend the DRAFT statement of licencing principles to full council for approval. Officers detailed to Members that on 15th July 2024, the Licencing Committee approved the draft revised statement of principles, for the purpose of going out to consultation. Two responses to the consultation were received, one from the Operations Manager of the Lotteries Council who responded stating that they had no comment. The second response was from solicitors acting on behalf of the Betting and Gaming Council, the full response was outlined on pages 11 to 16 of the Public Reports pack. Officers highlighted that although the majority of the response was positive, one amendment was requested which stated “Paragraph 11.2 contains a bullet point list of factors that the council expects to be considered when conducting a local risk assessment. The bullet point list should be redrafted with the reference to whether the premises is in an area of deprivation being deleted.” The reasoning for the request was that the affluency of the area did not impact on if a venue was able to meet the licencing objectives effectively. Officers respected the position of the Betting and Gaming Council but stated that paragraph 11.2 detailed a number of factors to be considered during the risk assessment, and that it was the opinion of WRS that the demographic of the area should be considered during this process. All the risk factors, which included the affluency of the area, should be used to assess the potential risk to the application and surrounding residents. Members discussed the stance of WRS and were in agreement that it was an important factor to consider along with all the other points raised in paragraph 11.2, therefore, Members did not recommend any alteration to the draft report. It was clarified that should Members recommend the DRAFT statement of licencing principles to full council for approval, it would go to the meeting on 11th November 2024 and would come into effect on 31st January 2025. Members were generally in agreement with the statement of principles and on being put to a vote it was: Recommended to Council that the draft Statement of Licencing Principles be approved and published with effect from 31st January 2025.
Date of Decision: October 7, 2024