Agenda and minutes

Members considered a report of the Executive Director of Urban Living, which advised Members of the procedure to be followed by the Council to implement the Gambling Act 2005.

Members noted that the Gambling Act 2005, which would come into force in September 2007, would give Authorities new and extended responsibilities for licensing premises for gambling, including betting, casino and gaming, which were previously administered by the Magistrates’ Courts. Members were advised that each Licensing Authority was required to develop, consult on and publish a statement of its Licensing Policy.

Members noted the tight timescale within which the policy had to be agreed, in order that sufficient time could be given to stakeholders to be involved in the recommended 12 week consultation process.

Having approved the proposed timescale for the Gambling Policy draft, consultation and publication, it was;

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (To Council)

That a Special meeting of Council be summonsed in December 2006 to approve the Gambling Policy.

(See also Minute 15)

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business to be transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record and the minutes of the Special Licensing and General Purpose Committee held on 5 June 2006 be deferred until printed in the Council Bound Volume.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 6 March 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record; and

(2)  the minutes of the Special meeting held on 5 June 2006, which were not detailed on the agenda for the meeting, be deferred until printed in the Council Minute Volume.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 19 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rules 19, 16 and 17 (Part 4B of the Constitution) respectively.

Report of the Director of Financial & Business Services.

Members considered a report of the Director of Financial and Business Services which sought views on the two options proposed in relation to awarding compensation to local authority staff whose employment was terminated early on grounds of redundancy, in the interests of efficiency or on cessation of a joint appointment.

The officer advised that the discretionary compensation regulations were to be amended by 1 October 2006, in line with when the Age Discrimination Act 2006 came into force. Members were requested to consider two options that provide local authority employers with broad discretionary powers to make a one-off lump sum payment of up to two years pay or five years pay. The officer emphasised that the two options were just an upper ceiling limit, which provided maximum flexibility for the Authority whilst being able to contain costs at an acceptable level.

In response to questions Members were informed that the lump sum costs would be contained within the departmental budgets and that the two year option was recommended.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the two year option for a one off lump sum for discretionary compensation be agreed;

(2)  the response be forwarded to the Department for Communities and Local Government by 31July 2006;

(3)  officers submit a report on all Discretionary Payments once new legislation was available.

Report of the Chief Environmental Health Officer.

Members considered a report of the Executive Director (Urban Living) which sought approval of a proposed designated alcohol consumption exclusion zone.

The officer tabled a coloured version of the map appended to the report of the Executive Director (Urban Living), to enable Members to distinguish the red border identifying the proposed designated drinking zone. It was noted that data from the police, ambulance service and the Crime Reduction Unit had been collated in order to map the trouble “hotspots” fuelled by alcohol consumption, such as Harrow Town Centre and Wealdstone. Members were informed that the exclusion zone could be open to challenge if such data were not provided from those relevant authorities.

The officer explained that, following agreement of the proposed designated exclusion zone, a 28 day consultation period with the public, local residents and businesses, together with an advertisement in the local newspaper was necessary. The results would then be reported back to the next meeting of the Committee. Members noted that the boundaries could be refreshed if further data was provided by the police, ambulance service and Crime Reduction Unit which identified other areas of concern.

In response to Members’ questions, the officer confirmed that a budget had not been provided for the implementation of the zone. Costs would, however, be kept to a minimum as the Police would be patrolling and enforcing the alcohol exclusion zone and the signage would be met from the Transportation departmental budget.  The Committee were advised that, in due course and with the relevant essential data, it was proposed to commission a Borough wide exclusion zone.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the procedure used to implement the controlled drinking exclusion zone be approved; and

(2)  the proposed Zone, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places) Regulations 2001, be approved.

Report of the Chief Environmental Health Officer.

(See also Recommendation I)

Having made a recommendation to Council in relation to the calling of a Special Council meeting in December 2006 to approve the Gambling Policy, it was

RESOLVED:  That the proposed timescales for the Gambling draft, consultation and publication of the Gambling Policy be approved.

Report of the Director of Legal Services.

Members considered a report of the Director of Legal Services, which contained a summary of concluded licensing appeals pursuant to the Licensing Act 2003, section 181 and Schedule 5.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.