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:

The Licensing Service had dealt with a number of compliance and enforcement

Matters between the 29^th May and the 2^nd July 2023.

LICENSING HEARING SUB-COMMITTEE HEARING            

On the 27 March 2023, Greater Manchester Police submitted an application to the Licensing Authority for a Review of the Premises Licence in respect of Club 66, 24 Silver Street, Bury. Members will recall that an urgent item was listed at the Meeting of the      Licensing and Safety Committee on the 17 April 2023to request that the period for the hearings be extended. Under the relevant legislation, time limits can be extended where it is in the public interest to do so and that by reason of special circumstances relating to the local government election and timing of committee appointments, the Licensing Authority requested that the deadline for holding the hearing be extended until the week commencing the 12^th June 2023. This would also allow for any new Members of the Licensing Committee to receive the appropriate training.

The Licensing Hearings Sub-Committee took place on the 13 June 2023, Members considered the application and appropriate evidence from Greater Manchester Police and decided to revoke the premises licence and to remove the designated premises supervisor.

The Licensing Service had received an application to Transfer the premises licence and to vary the designated premises supervisor at Club 66, 24 Silver Street, Bury. Greater Manchester Police have made representations to both of these applications which were scheduled to be considered by the Licensing Hearings Sub-Committee on the 4July 2023.

The Licensing Service had been advised that the proposed designated premises supervisor no longer wishes to be named on the premises Licence and the new Limited company have confirmed that they do not wish the licence to be transferred to them. The premises licence has now reverted back to the previous owners.

PARKLIFE

Officers from the Licensing and Trading Standards Services locate with Public Protection worked on the 9^th- 11^th June covering the Courteeners and Parklife events held at Heaton Park. Officers dealt with issues relating to the following matters:-

·         Illegal Street Trading

·         Enforcement of Hackney Carriage and Private hire legislation.- 78 Vehicles licensed by other authorities identified for reporting for, various issues e.g., plying, damage, missing signs or refusing to move on and causing obstruction

·         Checking of Pedlars Certificates

·         Checking of Licensed Premises

·         Unlicensed Takeaways

·         Assisted GMP with seizure of a private hire vehicle

Officers will feedback their findings at the debrief meeting that will be held in due course. A thank you has been received from Greater Manchester Police regarding the Officers from Public Protection for their hard work during the event and, keeping young people safe and looking after residents.

MULTI AGENCY VISITS – TOBACCO DOG

On Friday the 23^rd June, Officers from Trading Standards, Licensing and

Greater Manchester Police            carried out visits alongside a dog handler

from Wagtails, with a tobacco dog, to 5 premises across the Borough. From 5

premises visited, seizures were made from 4 of illegal vapes and illicit tobacco.

In total 17,360 illicit cigarettes, 7.95 kg of hand rolling tobacco and 1876 illegal

vapes were seized with a street value of £33,151. A fire and environmental

health issue was also raised at one premise.

LEE RIGBY CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH – BURY FOOTBALL CLUB

On Saturday 24 June, the Deputy Licensing Officer worked alongside the GMP

Licensing Officer for the Lee Rigby charity football match taking place at Bury

Football Club.  Nine licensed premises in the town centre and three licensed

premises closer to the stadium were visited, two were given advice.  The

football stadium was also visited, and the appropriate advice and guidance

issued.

IMMEDIATE REVOCATION OF A PRIVATE HIRE DRVIERS LICENCE

Due to an article in the Bury Times entitled “Eight charged in connection with

suspected county lines drugs network”, The Licensing Service became aware

that a licensed private hire driver in Bury had been in court for drugs offences.

On the 29^th June 2023, the Licensing Service received confirmation from

Greater Manchester Police about the private hire driver. On receipt of this

information the Licensing Unit Manager in consultation with the Chair of the

Licensing and Safety Committee decided to revoke with immediate effect his

licence in the interests of Public Safety.

A number of Members commented on the report.

One Member commented if the Licensing Service was aware of a Heaton Park de-brief meeting with management on the 26^th July which included local residents and Councillors.

Another Member asked if feedback could be obtained on unlicensed takeaways

which the Licensing Manager would provide but presumed it was related to

trading after hours.

A discussion also took place on what illegal vapes entailed and how

enforcement action could be taken via trading standards North West.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.