Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Fry, Goff and Landell Mills.

There were no declarations of interest.

Purpose of report: to inform the Committee of the progress made by the Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 during the period from April 2016 to July 2016). The report covers data on service volumes; details of Licensing hearing decisions; decisions made under delegated powers; information on Temporary Event Notices (TENs) and enforcement activity.

Recommendations:  the Committee is asked to:

1.   note the contents of the report; and

2.   make any comments and recommendations regarding the future work of the Licensing function.

The Head of Community Services submitted a report detailing the progress made by the Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 during the last Council Year (April 2016 – July 2016).

In response to questions from the Committee the Licensing Manager said that he felt (having carried out many late night enforcement operations across the city) that in comparison to other cities Oxford’s night time economy lacked “variety” either in terms of providing venues that appeal to an 25 – 50 year old age group “aspirational” customer base, or in terms of providing an evening economy that would create a “buzz” factor across the city centre that would lead to a progressive day / evening / night economy (the Licensing Manager has informed the City Centre Manager of his assessment).  Premises either catered for a student customer base or a more mature customer base, leading in effect to the city centre operating as two distinct different areas, whereas East Oxford venues provided a wider spread of venues catering for a mixed customer base. The Committee suggested that the opening of the “new” Westgate Centre would address this issue, at least in part, but agreed that this was a matter to keep under review.

The Licensing Manager also expressed some concern as to the lack of community inspired licensed premises outside of the city centre and East Oxford, and raised concerns as to the long term viability of some premises located in the outlying areas. The Licensing Manager felt that he and his Team (and partner agencies) should make efforts to reconnect with these venues, in order to better assess their current and future needs, so as to ensure that such venues felt supported during the current economic climate. The Committee supported this approach.

The Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee resolved to note the contents of the report.

Recommendation: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2016 be approved as a true and accurate record.

The Committee resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2016 as a true and accurate record.

Meetings are scheduled on:

23 January 2017 (Monday)

16 May 2017

Meetings start at 5.00pm to dovetail with the following meeting unless the Chair agrees a different time.

The Committee noted the dates of future meetings and confirmed that the meetings would start at 5.00pm.