The committee received a report that included the statistics relating to the number of licences issued, the activity expected to be undertaken during the remainder of the current year and information about the enforcement process generally.    The policies, procedures and forms used during the various licensing/enforcement processes were appended to the report

To date 38 Club Premises, 349 Premises, 607 Personal and 239 Temporary Events licences and a number of other notices relating to changes of Designated Premises Supervisor, Transfer of Owner and Club Secretary had been issued.

Concern was expressed about the consumption of alcohol off licensed premises and the anti social behaviour of some customers when congregating outside.   Members were advised that it was not against the law to consume alcohol outside premises or in the street generally neither would it be against the restrictions imposed within an Alcohol Dispersal Zone (ADZ).   Licensees were not responsible for the anti-social behaviour of their customers upon leaving their premises and those people consuming alcohol within ADZs could only be “moved on” if they were behaving in an unsuitable manner and breaching the terms of the ADZ.    

Members questioned whether the current staffing levels of the Regulatory Services department was enough to cope with the possible implications of the no smoking regulations coming into force on the 1 July 2007.  They were reassured that with the additional member of staff, whose main priority would be to enforce/monitor these rules, the department would be able to cope.   This smoke free post is fully funded by Department of Health grant monies.

Members acknowledged the success of the proactive enforcement/inspection regime being followed in Gravesham and how this had resulted in no formal prosecutions having to be undertaken.  

Resolved that the report be noted.