Issue - meetings

            The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

            RECOMMENDED: That the Council

1) adopt the Statement of Licensing Policy as attached to the report; and

2) defer consideration of the Cumulative Impact Special Policy as proposed by Cheshire Constabulary.

The Executive Board had considered a report of the Chief Executive on the adoption of a Statement of Licensing Policy.

          The Council had a duty to adopt a Statement of Licensing Policy by 7 January 2011, which would remain in place for a three year period unless amended before that time.

            RESOLVED: That

1)     the Statement of Licensing Policy attached to the report be adopted; and

2)     consideration of the Cumulative Impact Special Policy as proposed by Cheshire Constabulary be deferred.

            The Board received a report of the Chief Executive on the adoption of a Statement of Licensing Policy.

A consultation exercise was authorised at the meeting of the Executive Board on 9 September 2010 (Minute EXB 37 refers) to review the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The consultation period ended on 15 October 2010 and the consultation draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Board were advised that only one response had been received from Cheshire Constabulary in support of its own proposed Cumulative Impact Policy as described in the report. The rules relating to Cumulative Impact Policies were set out in statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and attached at Appendix 3 to the report for Members’ information. Cheshire Constabulary had submitted a request to include a Cumulative Impact Special Policy in respect of the Victoria Square Area in Widnes.

               The Board were reminded that the Council was under a duty to have an adopted Statement of Licensing Policy in place by 7 January 2011 together with a newspaper advertisement confirming the adoption prior to that date. Once adopted, the policy would remain in place for a three year period unless amended before that time. Any changes in legislation or in the Statutory Guidance would also override the policy.

               RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to

1) adopt the Statement of Licensing Policy as attached to the report; and

2) defer consideration of the Cumulative Impact Special Policy as proposed by Cheshire Constabulary.