Agenda item - Review of Licensing Panel Arrangements

RESOLVED:

1. That Committee notes the ongoing risk of fluctuation in relation to Covid

infection rates as well as the additional benefits of holding virtual meetings in

terms of enabling participation in the Licensing process and recommends

that Licensing Panels continue to meet virtually until March 2023. This does

not preclude holding a panel hearing in person where the individual circumstances of an application may warrant it.

2. That Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director - Governance, People & Resources after consultation with the Chair and group

spokespersons to determine arrangements for Licensing Panel hearings

until the next Licensing Committee in March 2023.

3. That the Committee recommends that in exercising this authority the above

officer takes into account all relevant factors including latest public health

and government guidance, the situation with other council meetings and the

need to ensure fair and transparent procedures in accordance with the

Hearings Regulations 2005.

17.1 Rebecca Sidell introduced the report starting on page 13 of the Agenda.

17.2 Councillor Simson raised that the flexibility to hold meetings virtual or in person where possible is important, and suggested that Democratic Services do checks with members of the public beforehand to ensure they can attend.

17.3 Councillors O’Quinn and Theobald raised that the virtual system has worked well and made life easier for all attending Licensing Panels.

17.4 Councillor Knight raised that it is hard to do virtual Licensing Panels without paper copies of the Agenda.

RESOLVED:

1. That Committee notes the ongoing risk of fluctuation in relation to Covid

infection rates as well as the additional benefits of holding virtual meetings in

terms of enabling participation in the Licensing process and recommends

that Licensing Panels continue to meet virtually until March 2023. This does

not preclude holding a panel hearing in person where the individual

circumstances of an application may warrant it

2. That Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director - Governance, People & Resources after consultation with the Chair and group

spokespersons to determine arrangements for Licensing Panel hearings

until the next Licensing Committee in March 2023.

3. That the Committee recommends that in exercising this authority the above

officer takes into account all relevant factors including latest public health

and government guidance, the situation with other council meetings and the

need to ensure fair and transparent procedures in accordance with the

Hearings Regulations 2005.