Agenda and minutes

Members are requested to advise the Democratic Services Officer of any apologies for this meeting.

Councillors Brierley, Crosby, Dawber, Holland, Houlton, Roberts and Talbot.

The minutes of the meeting held on Friday 22 March 2019 are attached.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Director – Environment is attached.

The Committee considered a report of the Director – Environment, Paul Barton, presented by the Licensing Manager, Joanne Brockley, which informed the Committee that, in line with the Licensing Act 2003, each licensing authority was required to prepare and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy every five years. The Council’s current policy was last reviewed in 2015 and was currently in place until 2022.

The Cumulative Impact Policies for both Wigan and Leigh town centres had now been removed from the policy, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the entertainment and hospitality sector,.  and going forwards, the Licensing Section would be focusing on encouraging operators to submit applications that fitted in with the core hours framework and with robust operating schedules.

A consultation with persons listed in Section 5(3) of the 2003 Act, on the revised Statement of Licensing Policy was held from 14 April until 31 May 2022, with the relevant persons having been directed to a dedicated consultation page on the Council’s website.

The report would also be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 7 July 2022, prior to approval of the policy being sought by Council at its meeting on 20 July 2022.

Resolved: The Committee:

(1)      notes the outcome of the consultation on the draft Licensing Policy Statement; and

(2)      endorses the policy to Cabinet, prior to final approval being sought by Council at its meeting on 20 July 2022.