Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair, Cllr Barry Clark, welcome those present and gave instructions as to the public forum process to those joining the zoom conference room.

Apologies received from Cllr Peter Abraham.

To note any declarations of interest from the Councillors.  They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Please note that the Register of Interests is available at https://www.bristol.gov.uk/councillors/members-interests-gifts-and-hospitality-register

Any declarations of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

None received

To agree the minutes of the 22^nd October 2020

Cllr Tom Brook ask that it be noted that his name was missing from the names of members appointed to the Committee.  The Clerk confirm that this would be rectified on the records.

Resolved – the minutes of the previous meeting are agreed as a correct record.

Any member of the public or Councillor may participate in Public Forum.  The detailed arrangements for so doing are set out in the Public Information Sheet at the back of this agenda.  Public Forum items should be emailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk and please note that the following deadlines will apply in relation to this meeting:-

Questions - Written questions must be received 3 clear working days prior to the meeting.  For this meeting, this means that your question(s) must be received in this office at the latest by 5 pm on 2^nd March.

Petitions and Statements - Petitions and statements must be received on the working day prior to the meeting.  For this meeting this means that your submission must be received in this office at the latest by 12.00 noon on 5^th March.

Public Forum statements were provided to members in advance of the meeting.  Those who submitted a statement were invited to address committee before the presentation of the report and the debate.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report and summarised it for the Committee.

The following was noted from the discussion arose:

Questions

·       Cllr Combley asked officers to confirm that the Licensing Act 2003 permitted any venue to stage events with sexual entertainment content? That the current policy had designated 3 areas appropriate for SEVs.

·       Officers confirmed that licensed venues are able to hold 11 events per year and this cannot be restricted under the Authority’s policy.

·       The policy is unable to designate the city-wide as a locality; each application must be assessed as to appropriateness within the locality it will operate.

·       Cllr Hance noted that a theme of the public forum was the loss of employment should the existing venues close, asked if this could be considered.

·       Officers advised that although employment was not a consideration for the committee, they still had to be mindful of the public sector equality duty and the impact on specific persons who fall within the scope of the duty.

·       The trajectory of the policy development; 12 week consultation process; the result from the consultation to be presented to the working group; the final policy would be returned to committee for decision on implementation; at that time all evidence would be presented.

·       Cllr Eddy confirmed that he had been involved in the working group and that nothing he has heard has changed his position on opposing a nil cap.  He urged members not to make a moral decision; that they should view the evidence submitted by the police that failed to provide evidence that supported a link between crime stats and SEV; that there is more evidence of crime arising from local drinking establishments; that he took the view that the existing clubs were well run and operated within the regulations; that no evidence was presented to support adopting a nil cap; that his real concern that a nil cap would push activity underground outside strict regulations; that to consider this at the same time that clubs were recovering from the impact of restrictions on trade during the pandemic was inappropriate; that he did not support the proposed change and took the view the current cap should be kept.

·       Cllr Goggin asked if the consultation would be limited to Bristol; how would multiple replies from an individual be avoided; what details of consultees are collected.

·       Officers advised that the consultation was not limited to Bristol; participants were asked for their postcode; that digital technology allowed for identifying any anomalies; that to encourage as wide as possible participation, name and address details were not requested; this insured the consultation was anonymous and avoided possible data breach.

·       Cllr Clough expressed her view that crime data showed that night clubs posed a greater issue than the current SEV clubs; that the decision was being made on a moral bias and not practical issues and information presented

·       Cllr Hickman that the issue of harassment and homicide of women existed and there was no evidence that the current clubs were linked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Senior Licensing Policy Officer presented the report to committee that recommended the implementation of a Cumulative Impact zone for the city centre. 

·       Avon & Somerset Constabulary had provided the necessary evidence in support of the CIA.

·       This location, the city centre, prior to pre-pandemic restricts had a number of late-night alcohol led venues in operation that kept people in the area.

·       That the consultation on the policy carried out from 2^nd September to 28^th October 2020 demonstrated 71% of respondents agreeing to the CIA

a.       Cllr Combley noted that with a CIA in place the presumption would be to refuse applications for alcohol licenses but posed the question as to whether it was known if the position after restrictions are lifted will be the same as before in the area.  A number of businesses may not be able to restart or may have gone out of business.   Cllr Combley commended the police for providing the required evidence to give weight to the grounds to implement this redrawn city centre CIA

b.       The Licensing Officer confirmed that the grounds for the recommendation was based on the police statistical information & data on crime disorder & nuisance arising from saturation of late night venues in the city centre.

c.       Members agreed that the supply of police evidence was essential in any decision making as to whether to grant an application; that the police evidence that now substantiated the need for CIA in this locality was welcome.

d.       The Chair noted the common consensus therefore moved the officers recommendation.

e.       When put to the vote all were in agreement without anyone against or abstaining.

Resolved to approve Officer Recommendation to publish a Cumulative Impact Assessment in respect of the City Centre of Bristol.