Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

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

(a)               all Members of the Committee;

(b)               all other Members present.

There were no declarations.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th September 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2011, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents/organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 17 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Licensing Services Manager introduced his report which addressed the issue identified by the Greater London Authority (GLA), in consultation with the Metropolitan Police Service, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, Transport for London, British Transport Police, Port of London Authority and the National Health Service, in relation to the volume of activity in London during the Olympic period which was anticipated to be a greater demand for public services, private security, event equipment, portable sanitation etc.

He advised that many borough’s had considered a suggested amendment to their Licensing Policy for the Olympic period to help the borough ensure that due consideration of Games Time Plus issues, especially for Olympic/ Paralympic venues (including road events) was made when considering granting licences to events.  He reminded the Panel that the key remit of the Licensing Policy was the manner in which it and the decisions based on the policy addressed the need for partner agencies to work together to develop and implement strategies to tackle crime and disorder which might be related to the implementation of the Licensing Act and related controls and enforcement.

Implementation of the Policy amendment would serve to provide additional safeguards to the delivery of crime reduction strategy priorities and as such directly support Section 17 key objectives and the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy.  It further meant that the Council would be better able to manage the expectations of applicants and the Emergency Services during this period. 

As part of the proposal for an amendment to the Policy a consultation exercise had been undertaken 10 October - 11 November 2011.  Three responses had been received which he detailed for Members.

The Committee discussed the proposed amendment expressing its concern that the proposed wording seemed to imply a greater power being transferred to the Police Authority for the period and officers explained the authority for the grant or refusal of a licence application would remain with the Licensing Panel.  The amendment was intended to give the opportunity to work with a threshold number of events to ensure suitable resources were in place to manage these.

A Member questioned why the use of Temporary Event Notices were not sufficient to meet the issue and it was explained that such Notices were limited in terms of the capacity of venue and that the proposed amendment would allow for a stronger forward planning of and awareness of Olympic related events which were within the licensable event criteria.

A Member noted that the wording of the amendment was contradictory and was advised hat the amendment was in line with the language of emerging legislation.  A Member suggested that a rule be applied that all licensable activities in the identified period should be required to be submitted to Panel for decision.  Officers explained this was not feasible as applications could only be brought to Panel where an objection based on one of the four licensing principles was received.

The Committee agreed that the main concerns appeared to be around the issue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Report of the Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places Working Group.

The Electoral Services Manager and Chairman of the Polling District and Polling Places Working Group introduced the report concerning the outcomes of the Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places undertaken in accord with Section 18(c) of the Representation of the People Act 1983.  It was noted that the review had been subject to a full public consultation and the outcomes of responses had been discussed with the Working Group.

The Chairman of the Working Group, in response to a question, advised that the term “kept under review” was applied where either expensive arrangements (such as Portakabins) were in place so that if an appropriate alternative venue could be identified this could be considered at an early stage and changes, if appropriate, be made at that point.  It also applied where it was known significant potential building development work was proposed which could result in a large increase in elector numbers.

A Member advised a minor amendment to a road name which was agreed to reflect the correct makeup of the Polling District.  A Member queried whether the use of Whitmore School was intended in the future as proposed by the Review and it was confirmed the use of the School had been made earlier in the year and it had always remained the intention, following completion of the buildings work, that Polling Stations would be kept within Whitmore School.

A Member raised the issue of Cedar’s Manor signage and officers acknowledged this was being addressed.  It was also advised that Cedars Community Centre had very poor disabled parking provision which should be addressed at future elections.  Officers advised that the matter had been raised with the Council’s Highways Section and that Presiding Officers were trained specifically to assist a disabled voter.

The Committee welcomed the report thanking the Chairman of the Working Group and Electoral Services Manager for their hard work and completion of a successful review.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations of the Polling District and Polling Places Working Group, in relation to the individual polling districts and places for the next four years, be approved.