Agenda and minutes

County Councillors R. Chapman, J. Prosser, F. Taylor and P. Watts

None received.

The minutes of the Committee were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

The Chair welcomed committee member County Councillor D. Evans back to the chamber and wished him good health.

As it was the last meeting of the current administration the Chair took the opportunity to thank members of the committee and the officers for their work.

The Head of Public Protection answered an action from the meeting from the 7^th March 2017 and advised the committee that the Old Parlour held 60 wedding last year.

County Councillor J. Higginson commented on the Citizenship ceremonies he had attended in his year as Chairman of the Council and ask the officers to relay his thanks and compliments to the staff who conduct these ceremonies.

PURPOSE:

To agree the fees to set for this Authority in relation to Premises Licences under the Gambling Act 2005 for 21st May 2017 – 20th May 2018.

2. RECOMMENDATION(S):

1. It is recommended that:-

(i) the fees and charges detailed in Appendix A of the report be approved and have effect from 21st May 2017; and

(ii) The fees are subsequently reviewed annually.

3. KEY ISSUES

1 This Authority has a statutory duty under the Gambling Act 2005 to set fees for Premises Licences in accordance with the Gambling (Premises Licence)(England and Wales) Regulations 2007. The fees for these licences are to be reviewed and set annually on the 21st May each year. Premises Licences will include Betting Shops, Tracks, Adult Gaming Centres, Family Entertainment Centres and Bingo Premises. A fee assessment has not been carried out for Casinos as the Authority carried a resolution not to allow Casinos within its County at Full Council on 19th November 2015.

2. The general functions of the licensing authority in dealing with Gambling Premises

Licences has been delegated to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee. This was agreed in the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy approved at Full Council on 19th November 2015.

3. Licensing Authorities do not have the power to set fees for Permits which will be set by Central Government.

4. The Gambling (Premises Licence Fees) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 provided for the following types of fees to be determined by licensing authorities:

 Licence application fee

 First annual fee

 Annual fee

 Notification of change of circumstances fee

 Application to vary a licence fee

 Application to transfer a licence fee

 Fee for a copy of a licence

 Application for re-instatement of a licence fee

 Provisional statement application fee.

The Authority currently licence eleven premises under the Gambling Act 2005 consisting of nine betting premises, one track betting and one adult gaming centre all of whom will be required to pay an annual fee.

5. The European Services Directive, along with other regulations, statutory guidance and case law underline that fees must be set on a “reasonable” cost recovery basis only and cannot be set in such a manner as to generate a profit or act as an economic deterrent to traders. In determining reasonable costs the Authority may take account of costs averaged over a reasonable period (up to three years). However, The Regulations referred to in 3.4 above has stipulated a maximum figure a local authority is permitted to charge for the licensing of premises under the Gambling Act 2005.

6. An assessment of the cost and the maximum amount a local authority can charge for premises licences has been undertaken and this is shown in Appendix B attached to this report. As a result of this assessment this report proposes that the fees commencing the 21st May 2017 be set as stipulated in Appendix A.

MEMBERS COMMENTS:

The Chair asked since the cost of producing some licence renewals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Principal Licensing officer advised the committee that the driver had withdrawn his application for reasons given but reserves the right to apply again at a future date.

If this is the case the application will be brought to the committee.

The committee accepted the withdrawal of application.

Licening Committee Training 23^rd May 2017 at 10am

Next Committee Meeting;

23^rd May 2017 at 2pm

Licensing and Regulation Committee training;

23^rd May 2017 at 10am

Environmental Health training;

15^th June 2017 at 2pm