The Licensing Committee of Redbridge Council met on Tuesday 16 January 2024 to discuss updates on licensing applications and proposed policy changes regarding the safety of women and vulnerable customers. The committee noted the contents of the report presented, which included data on licensing applications and a draft policy to enhance safety in licensed premises.

Licensing Act Update

The committee received an update on applications made under the Licensing Act 2003 between 1 January 2023 and 11 December 2023. The report detailed the number of new premises applications, club applications, variations, transfers, personal licence applications, and Temporary Event Notices (TENs). Councillors discussed the possibility of introducing flexibility for application deadlines around bank holidays, although it was noted that current deadlines adhere to legislation. The difficulty in comparing data from different time periods was acknowledged, with assurances that future reports would provide more comparable information. The committee welcomed the absence of appeals against Sub-Committee decisions, thanking members for their diligence and officers for their advice. It was also highlighted that the Licensing Committee's work had previously contributed to a 43% decrease in anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the borough, making Redbridge the top London borough for this achievement.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on proposed wording for the Statement of Licensing Policy concerning the Safety of Women and Vulnerable Customers. Members debated whether this could be addressed sooner than the planned 2024/25 review, and its applicability to existing licences. The committee explored how the wording would define the premises it applies to and whether it would be mandatory. The potential for a workshop for committee members to contribute to the policy review was suggested. Questions were raised about the accessibility of the public register of licences on the council's website and the need for reliable data to inform decisions on Cumulative Impact Zones (CIZs). Concerns were also voiced about ensuring the proposed wording was not overly onerous for premises and did not create a two-tier licensing system. The importance of training for Designated Premises Supervisors (DPSs) and ensuring both licensees and committee members are informed of policy changes and their implementation was stressed, alongside the need for appropriate enforcement. Officers agreed to review the wording and present it for discussion at a future workshop. The committee ultimately resolved to note the contents of the report.

Urgent Item: Planning Permission and Licensing Applications

An urgent item, raised by Councillor Ruth K. Clark, concerned the process for handling premises licence applications where the applicant has not yet obtained planning permission. It was suggested that the Licensing Authority should verify planning permission status before considering licence applications. However, members were informed that while the Planning Department is a Responsible Authority and applications are forwarded to them, the Licensing Authority cannot refuse to consider a licence application solely on the grounds of lacking planning permission. Furthermore, having planning permission is not an enforceable condition that can be placed on a licence. Paragraphs 14.66 and 9.45 of the Statutory Guidance¹ regarding the relationship between planning and licensing authorities were highlighted. The Legal Officer was asked to review these paragraphs and circulate advice on compliance.