Agenda item

Mick Sims, Licensing Manager, introduced a report informing Members  of Thames Valley Police’s response to the amendments to the Deregulation Action 2015, giving Licensing Authorities the power to exempt premises from the requirements to have a  licence to provide Late Night Refreshment.

The Officer confirmed that Thames Valley Police’s response to the proposed new provisions was that they were not in favour of exemptions but that matters could be reviewed on a case by case basis. It had been recommended that any exemptions that could potentially be taken advantage of by less honest traders were to be avoided.

It was confirmed that the provisions of the Deregulation Act 2015 came into effect on 1^st October 2015, and empowered Licensing Authorities to:

  i.  Designate a particular description of premises (as set out in the regulations) as not requiring permission to sell hot food and drink after 23.00hrs,

  ii.  Designate areas where premises do not need a premises License to sell hot food or drink after 23.00hrs, and

  iii.  Stipulate that during periods between no earlier than 23.00hrs and no later than 05.00hrs, premises may trade freely for the provision of hot food and drink without the need for a licence.

When choosing to designate particular categories of premises as exempt, the licensing authority could only exempt types of premises as set out in the regulations. The officer confirmed that, of the categories set out in the regulations, most were not applicable to Slough. Of the remaining categories, it was unlikely that exemptions would be made for premises within the town centre or in petrol stations, due to concerns over anti social behaviour. However, this would be up to the Committee.

To address Member concerns over the potential for the new regulations to limit the economic growth within Slough, the officer confirmed that a Task Group had been formed comprising the Licensing Manager as well as the new Town Centre Manager, with the remit to promote the night time economy within Slough (among other things). It was advised that the Task Group would be meeting later in the year, and could provide a report to the Committee before any ruling on exemptions was made.

Members requested details on how the new regulations would affect premises near Three Tuns Lane, and similar areas, currently frequented by high numbers of tradesmen and articulated lorries.

Members were informed that the new regulations would not stop trading, and that any exemptions were designed to free a premises from the requirements to hold a licence. If an exemption subsequently resulted in a rise in anti social behaviour, then that exemption could be removed and the premises would then need to apply for a licence.

As clarification, the Officer confirmed that there was no stipulation of when the powers were to be used, and that there was no requirement to use them.

Resolved-   (i) That the response from Thames Valley Police be noted, and

(ii) That any exemptions to be made to the provision of Late Night Refreshment be postponed until after a report from the Task Group on Slough’s Town Centre be considered at the meeting in June 2016.