Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The amendments to the current policy be noted;

2.    The consultation feedback and officer comments be noted;

3.    The revised policy be adopted for implementation.

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety presented the policy. The draft policy was previously approved pending consultation, which has now been completed. The feedback from this consultation was attached as an appendix. When the previous policy was approved in 2016, it included a procedure to propose revisions if necessary.

He summarised that while the previous policy adopted the right approach for 2016, this is not necessarily the case now. The authority and broader context has changed since then, and so the revised policy adopts a more flexible approach regarding licensing zones, trading locations and goods to be sold there. Minor changes have also been made in line with the need for modernisation.

The Chair of the Licensing Committee was again invited to speak about the policy. He added that as the public realm works continue on the High Street, it is important to proactively adapt to a new reality with a more flexible policy and invest in the town centre. The Leader agreed that the adjustments are sensible, bringing the policy up to date for 2020.

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The amendments to the current policy be noted;
2. The consultation feedback and officer comments be noted;
3. The revised policy be adopted for implementation.