Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of 2 October 2019.

The minutes of the meeting of 2 October 2019 were agreed and signed subject to the following comment:

Councillor Topgood said the last sentence of minute LIC8/19, where he queried the public consultation, should read: “He had been assured that the consultation would make it clear it was not about street drinking… “

To update Members on the outcome of the public consultation in relation to the CIA Policy and for them to consider the results of the consultation in relation to the policy and agree next steps with regard to the policy moving forward.

Members considered the Review of the Cumulative Impact Assessment Policy (CIA) report presented by Michelle Bishop. 

Councillor Humphrey said the policy had been discussed by Licensing Committee in October and was referred to full Council for approval. Unfortunately Council have now referred it back to Licensing Committee for further consideration because members of Wisbech Town Council felt their views had not been got across and they do not support it. Councillor Humphrey added that this was despite the town council having been well represented at the meeting of Licensing Committee when it was approved.

Michelle Bishop said the report has only been updated slightly since the last Licensing Committee meeting and highlighted the changes, namely:

·         Appendix B contains updated figures from Public Health since publication of the report in October.

·         A table has been added at p.9 of the report showing the applications received within the CIA area since 2013 which were taken forward to the Licensing Committee, and the outcome of each.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

1.    Councillor Humphrey asked if Councillor Hoy, as leader of Wisbech Town Council, could explain why the town council is not behind this policy. Councillor Hoy said it was fair to say that there had been a long debate at both the last meeting of Licensing Committee and at full Council, and it was agreed that this policy is not about street drinking but is an extra tool for the Licensing Committee. However the public see it as something that would have an impact on street drinking. It has not had any impact and street drinking has arguably got worse. Councillor Hoy added that this is not the fault of Fenland District Council; she agreed that the policy was introduced with the best of intentions and in response to calls for action to solve the problem, but the issue of street drinking is vast and complex. This policy has not solved the problems and the town council does not believe a rule should be brought in that is not helpful and if it is not going to solve anything. Councillor Hoy further added that we are also trying to grow the Fenland night time economy. Personally, she would have been happy to amend the policy to affect off sales only. Street drinking and alcoholism is a wider issue and Councillor Hoy would be happy to work with the portfolio holders for Licensing and Community Safety in looking at these issues, such as homelessness and community safety, with a means to finding potential ways forward, but this is not it. Councillor Humphrey thanked Councillor Hoy, adding that he did offer an amendment prior to the meeting, but that did not seek any approval. He stressed that the CIA Policy was not about street drinking but was about new premises applications. 

2.    Councillor Skoulding said it would be useful to hear the views of other Wisbech town councillors. In response, Councillor Maul said he had made it abundantly clear  ...  view the full minutes text for item LIC11/19