Agenda and minutes

To note that there are no Reserve Members appointed to this Committee.

RESOLVED: To note that no Reserve Members were included in the Committee’s membership.

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 interests declared by Members present in relation to the business 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 Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:  That (1) Agenda Item 9 – Publication of Governance Compliance Statement – be taken immediately after Agenda Item 7 – Deputations;

(2)  all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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 Corporate Director Community and Environment

The Chairman reported that a press statement issued prior to the meeting and which had pre?judged the decision of the Committee, was inaccurate.  The Committee agreed not to take the press statement into account when determining this item.

An officer explained the reasons why approval to the consultation with the public and relevant persons regarding a borough-wide alcohol exclusion zone was being sought.  He stated that:

·                     the Council had implemented an existing alcohol exclusion zone, which covered the Town Centre, South Harrow and parts of Wealdstone;

·                     implementing an alcohol exclusion zone order gave the Police additional powers to deal appropriately with persons who were consuming alcohol and causing a nuisance.  The request for a borough-wide alcohol exclusion zone had come from the Police;

·                     officers had recommended to the Council that a borough-wide alcohol exclusion zone be implemented when the existing order was agreed.  However, legislation had prevented the Council from establishing this.  The Government had now issued guidance on this aspect;

·                     neighbouring boroughs such as Brent and Hillingdon had enforced a borough?wide alcohol exclusion zone and as a result people from outside the borough were filtering into Harrow.

The officer explained that if the Committee did agree to the commencement of the consultation process, a letter would be sent to every premise with an alcohol licence. Letters would also be sent to residents and advertisements placed in newspapers.

The officer reported that the consultation period would last approximately 12 weeks and a report would be presented to the Committee detailing the results of the consultation and asking them to recommend that Council approve the alcohol exclusion zone.  Subject to approval by the Council, the zone would be established before the summer period began. 

During the discussion on this item, Members raised a number of issues where the officer responded as follows:

·                     the recommendation submitted to the Committee was perhaps not as clear as intended.  The amendment suggested by a Member of the Committee would accurately state the recommendation proposed;

·                     that the concerns over the feasibility and enforceability of the scheme and requirement for evidence of alleged problems with the existing system would be noted;

·                     the £15,000 allocated to the alcohol exclusion zone would not cover costs relating to consultation and officer time.  The cost quoted was primarily related to signage.  Two types of signs were required and public notices in newspapers also be included in the price.  It was expected that consultation costs would be absorbed within the current budget;

·                     once an order was made, the Council were duty bound to inform the Home Office.  The Home Office maintained a record of all alcohol exclusion zones in the country;

·                     it was not anticipated that someone enjoying a glass of wine in the park would be in breach of the order.  The key factor that the Police would consider was whether a nuisance was being caused as a result of or partly due to alcohol;

·                     that the comments relating to suggested ways to advertise notices such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

Report of the Corporate Director - Finance

An officer introduced the report and explained that the Council had prepared the Governance Compliance Statement in a short period of time because recently enacted statutory provisions had required authorities to produce a statement by 1 March 2008.  The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) had subsequently extended the deadline for the production of the statement to 1 June 2008.  In addition to this, the Council were awaiting a final version of guidance to be provided by the CLG.  Draft guidance had been produced last November.  A further report would be presented to the Committee later in the year on an updated Governance Compliance Statement

A Member queried whether there would be any alterations to the Statement.  The officer responded that changes would be made to address the areas in which the Council were non?compliant.

In response to a question in relation to the impact on the Council’s Comprehensive Area Agreement as a result of non?compliance, the officer advised that the score would not be affected.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.