The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizens’ Services has submitted a report to Present the consultation requirement in respect of the three-yearly review of the Cumulative Impact Assessment.

Recommendation(s): That the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee resolves to:

1.    Note the consultation process and instruct officers to proceed with the same.

The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizens’ Services had submitted a report to present the consultation requirement in respect of the three-yearly review of the Cumulative Impact Assessment. 

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer presented the report, explaining that it presents the consultation requirement for the 3-yearly review of the cumulative impact assessment which is a tool used when considering adoption of the special saturation policy. It was explained to the Committee that the Council are required, before the end of each period, to consider whether the opinion within the previous report remains valid for the next period. This is to decide whether the number of licenced premises and club premises do or do not have a cumulative impact on the local area. A consultation will be conducted, and responses will be presented to the Committee in a future report to enable consideration of the opinion in the current Cumulative Impact Assessment.  

Councillor Clarkson queried whether data from the NHS and police would be utilised, as was the case in the 2020 report. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that both are consultees for the report and would be contacted for input. 

In response to a query on timing, Councillor Ottino was assured by the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer that the results of the 8-week consultation would be returned to the committee via a report for decision.  

Councillor Mundy welcomed the reduction in statistics within the report and requested further information regarding police input and resourcing in relation to the reduced number of licensed premises and their input into the cumulative impact assessment. The General Licensing Team Manager explained that it was not possible to comment on the condition of police resources and pressures or the representations they may make during the consultation period. Instead, he noted that the purpose of the report is to assess raw data from as many sources as possible to inform the special saturation policy. 

Councillor Muddiman referred to page 26, section 5, and queried the increase in public order incidents in Jericho and Osney from 2018 to 2021, requesting any information on this. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer explained that this information would have to be requested from the police directly. 

Councillor Clarkson commented that matters relating to police resourcing should not be taken into account when licensing decisions are considered by the Council.  

Councillor Ottino sought clarity on whether the consultation would be based on the same geographical areas as previously included, noting the previous exclusion of the Westgate Centre. The Chair echoed this and asked to what extent other areas can be included. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer noted that the assessment area can be altered and will be informed by data availability.  

Councillor Morris noted that police crime statistics are often unreliable and recommended that other data sources, such as victim surveys, could be drawn upon. The General Licensing Team Manager welcomed this, provided data is available and requested any recommendations on organisations which could be approached.  

Councillor Muddiman sought more information on the outreach process used for residents during the consultation period. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer explained that the council website, social media, and adverts within the Town Hall will be the main methods of outreach. The General Licensing Team Manager added that Councillors will also be asked to socialise the consultation within their wards.  

The Committee resolved to: 

• Note the consultation process and instruct officers to proceed with the same.