Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director (Operations) is attached.

The Executive Director (Operations) submitted a report advising Members on operational issues within the Licensing Service.

The report set out updates in respect of the following issues:

COMPLIANCE/ENFORCEMENT

The Licensing Service have dealt with compliance and enforcement

matters on a number of occasions between the 6^th and 19^th December and

these details were included in the report attached to the agenda packs.

SECOND TESTING STATION

The Licensing Service have been working with the Council’s Procurement

Section in respect of a concession to provide a second testing station for

the testing of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles. The opportunity

closed at 12 noon on 22 December 2021. 

THE HEALTH PROTECTION (CORONAVIRUS, RESTRICTIONS) (ENTRY TO

VENUES AND EVENTS) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2021

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Entry to Venues and

Events) (England) Regulations 2021 came into force on the 15^th December

2021 and provide new legal requirements for;

·         All nightclubs 

·         any other venue that is open between 1am-5am with alcohol, music and dancing.

The Regulations have provided a new legal requirement for venues (as detailed above) and events to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are either:-

·         fully vaccinated (currently a full course of vaccination without the need for a booster, but this will be kept under review), OR

·         have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, OR

·         they have a legal exemption.

This means to gain entry into these venues or be inside a venue between 1am – 5am anyone aged 18 years or over must

·         show their NHS COVID Pass, or

·         show alternative documented proof of a negative test result, such as an email or text proof (from NHS England). A physical lateral flow test kit must not be accepted – the person who undertook the test must upload the result to the NHS England website who will then issue the individual with a text or email notification.

Letters and emails have been sent out to those premises licensed for the sale of alcohol after 1am to inform them of these new regulations.

Members asked when the implementation date was for the second testing station and would it go ahead with a drop in licensed vehicles which could impact upon revenue. The Assistant Director of Operations Strategy reported that they were finalising the evaluation process and the timeline was to award a contract for the start of April this year. The Head of Public Protection confirmed the second station would go ahead and there had been applications submitted before the deadline. Revenue issues would be looked at if there were any issues or concerns.

A Member of the Committee asked about viewing historic revenue figures and the Chair stated this information would be available for the Councillor to view via available past Council budget papers. The Chair advised that other comments made were not relevant to the report on the agenda and should be dealt with outside of the Committee meeting.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.