Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and issued the safety information.

Apologies were received from Councillors Goggin and Grant.

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

Councillors’ interests, gifts and hospitality - bristol.gov.uk

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 previous Licensing Committee meeting 28 July 2022.

The minutes of the previous meeting on 28 July 2022 were extensive and some members requested amendments to their respective sections. Members were asked to send these amendments to the clerk.

RESOLVED the minutes of the previous meeting on 28 July 2022 are approved as a correct record, subject to amendments submitted to the clerk.

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 Friday 4 November.

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 Wednesday 9 November.

None received.

Licensing Officers introduced the Pavement Licensing Policy and highlighted the following points:

·       In 2020, Central Government streamlined processes to make it easier for hospitality businesses to work outside. The Government now intends to make this permanent.

·       Government guidance has been published recently and BCC must consider it in applications. The draft policy presented today will formalise guidance to help BCC make decisions on permitting furniture on the highway. This does not apply to permanent furniture or structures. Officers gave visual examples of different structures on the highway.

·       There needs to be a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the highway to allow pedestrianisation before furniture can be permitted. For example, a TRO is in effect on Cotham Hill allowing furniture on street. Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO) allowing furniture on non-pedestrianised streets has expired.

·       Outside structures on the highway can have complicated regulations, including outside beverage license, planning, electrics, building regulations, etc. BCC’s various regulatory departments are responsible for this. Structures must be safe as they very close to traffic. Temporary structures are no longer permitted.

·       The draft policy “tables and chairs” is just to cover removable furniture and pavement licensing is a matter for the Licensing Committee. Most outside trading will fall under this policy.

·       Officers recommend no consultation as this draft policy replicates national policy and guidance. This is a temporary policy; a newer version will be developed later and will include consultation.

·       An Equalities Impact Assessment was circulated to the committee before the meeting. This assumes the same demographics using highways as per residents in the city.

·       Disabled people and young children can be affected by on-street furniture for accessibility reasons. It is a universal condition that there be no obstructions on the pavement.

·       Having a formal policy is useful for transparency as it clearly shows how BCC is making decisions.

·       Officers are working closely with businesses and wants to help them succeed.  BCC is also developing a guidance document that will cover all regulations and procedures needed for applicants to deliver outside hospitality.

The following points arose from questions and debate:

·       Members asked whether there was a way to mark outside structures with a permissions notice, so that members of the public can be confident it has passed regulation. This would be a decision for the planning and highways departments who control those regulations, but licensing officers are happy to pass on the suggestion. ACTION

·       A structure license cannot be issued until the structure has planning permission. The planning process has an inherent public engagement stage.

·       On sections of the street where there are structures, but cars are present, the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) will have expired. Officers have worked with Business Improvement Districts to enable certain areas for outside hospitality. Officers are meeting with members about enforcement on unregulated areas.  

·       Officers are being as practical as possible and are working with the hospitality industry. There is a better understanding on what is required from all sides.  It has been beneficial to change usage rules for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.