Brighton & Hove City Council
Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Functions)
3.00pm 10 October 2024
Council Chamber, Hove Town
Hall,
Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ - HTH/CC
MINUTES
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Present: Councillors McGregor (Chair), Cattell (Deputy Chair), Davis, Fowler, Gauge, Mackey, Nann, O'Quinn, Pickett, Sheard, Thomson and Guilmant (Substitute)
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Apologies: Councillors Lyons
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PART ONE
10 Procedural Business
(a) Declarations of Substitutes
10.1 Councillor Guilmant was present in substitution for Councillor Hewitt.
(b) Declarations of Interest
10.2 There were no declarations of interests in matters listed on the agenda.
(c) Exclusion of Press and Public
10.3 The Committee considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of any of the items listed on the agenda.
10.4 RESOLVED: That the press and public would not be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items contained in part two of the agenda.
11 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
11.1 RESOLVED – The minutes of the Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Functions) Meeting held on 20 June 2024 were agreed.
12 Chair's Communications
12.1 The Chair addressed the committee and stated that they were looking at the licensing policy review, which was ongoing. A licensing summit will be held before the end of the year, and then the public will be invited to make comments relating to any aspect of licensing.
The Chair noted that the city of Brighton and Hove was a safe city, however, they had noticed an increase in violence, particularly sexual assaults on women. The chair is working with Councillor Cattell, and they are working with Councillor Daniels on this matter. The Chair also noted that Brighton and Hove queer safe spaces needed to be protected in this vibrant city.
13 Callover
13.1 The Democratic Services Officer stated the items on the agenda and the following were called for discussion by the committee:
· Item 16: Gambling Policy Review 2025-2027
14 Public Involvement
14.1 There was none for this meeting.
15 Member Involvement
15.1 Councillor Pickett introduced the following letter to the committee:
Dear Cllr McGregor, Chair of the Licensing Committee
I am writing to request that this Licensing Committee accepts the need to organise and promote a citywide LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces App. for Brighton & Hove as part of an organised strategy to make the city more welcoming and safer for everyone who either lives or visits here. Currently, the city lacks a citywide, unified way for members of the LGBTQ+ community and all vulnerable groups to identify safe spaces if the need is required whether physically or emotionally. Previous attempts to create a safe spaces app. failed due, in part, to the involvement of the police who are generally mistrusted by the LGBTQ+ community, and others, including women who have felt amongst others, ignored, blamed and shamed.
The Back Off. Back Up. (BOBU) app already successfully exists. It was designed and created by #acrossrainbows, however it needs to expand its network for it to provide a fully inclusive citywide safe spaces service, where staff have been given correct queer-centred inclusivity training to assist anyone feeling concerned or unsafe. This aligns with the city’s commitment to safety, diversity and inclusivity, and will help local businesses create safer environments for all residents and visitors, particularly vulnerable communities.
The BOBU app will:
A. Create safe, inclusive, and welcoming public spaces for all, with a strong focus on the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable groups.
B. Connect users to local businesses that prioritise respect, safety, and inclusivity through a comprehensive training programme
C. Helps user find nearby restaurants, venues, and businesses that have undergone special training to provide safe and inclusive environments. These designated "safe spaces" offer:
a. A refuge where people can leave uncomfortable situations.
b. Staff who are ready to help without questions.
c. Areas to charge phones or arrange rides home.
D. Enables people to socialise comfortably in safe spaces, promoting acceptance and inclusivity.
E. Provide stress-free access to a directory of inclusive businesses, including venues offering sexual health support (e.g., HIV testing) while maintaining user privacy.
In order to make the app more inclusive, it needs to be effectively promoted. As a way of centralising contact information and to encourage a unified, citywide app, it is proposed that venues sign up via the BHCC website to qualify for a 50% discount on the BOBU programme fee. It is also requested that opportunities to discuss safety in Brighton & Hove are initiated between #acrossrainbows and relevant Council teams.
Therefore, I am requesting that this committee either notes this proposal or requests a report to assess the viability of the council to bring these proposals to fruition.
Yours sincerely.
Cllr Kerry Pickett
Licensing Committee
(Licensing Act 2003 Functions)
(Opposition Spokesperson)
Licensing Committee
(Non-Licensing Act 2003 Functions)
(Opposition Spokesperson)
Supporting Information:
[1] Back Off. Back Up. | Download the BOBU App | Brighton & Hove UK (backoffbackup.com)
[2] Across Rainbows | LGBTQ+ Community | Brighton & Hove
15.2 The Chair invited the committee to vote.
Vote
15.3 The Committee agreed to note the letter and take the submit the letter to the licensing summit for discussion.
16 Gambling Policy review 2025-2027
16.1 The Regulatory Services Manager introduced the report to the committee.
16.2 Councillor Pickett was informed that:
· Premises Licensing was going down year-on-year and online gambling was being reviewed.
16.3 Councillor Guilmant was informed that:
· There were no details of what the government was reviewing, however, the gambling commission was looking at the ratio of machines per premisses and the need for risk assessments.
16.4 Councillor Davis was informed that:
· The band width of charging rates came into force in 2005.
16.5 Councillor Sheard was informed that:
· Under section E: Enforcement, that the best practice would be taken from a primary authority, however, there was no primary authority in Brighton and Hove. Best practice was encouraged.
16.6 The Chair invited the committee to vote.
Vote
16.7 The committee agreed the recommendations unanimously.
16.8 RESOLVED:
2.1 That members agree to refer the final version of the Statement of Gambling Policy 2025 - 2027 to Full Council for adoption. (Appendix 1)
2.2 That the final Statement of Gambling Policy is presented to Full Council.
17 Items Referred For Council
17.1 The committee agreed that the Gambling Policy Review 2025 – 2027 report be referred to the next full council.
The meeting concluded at 3.22pm
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Signed
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