Apologies were received from Councillors P J McSweeney and M Singh.  Councillors Mrs P O Oakeshott and D W B Thomas JP attended as their respective substitutes.

Minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2006 to be signed by the Chair

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2006 were signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair welcomed Chief Inspector David Cooper and Mr Paul Dimont of North Kent Police.

The Chair invited Chief Inspector Cooper and Mr Dimont to update the committee on the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC).

Chief Inspector Cooper made the following points to Members:-

• The North Kent Area had been restructured with Swanley and New Ash Green being incorporated in to the West Kent Area.  Geographically this represented half of the North Kent Area moving to West Kent.
• The same amount of police officers and civilian staff would be retained in the North Kent Area which would lead to a quicker response time in the police attending incidents within the revised North Kent Area.
• The North Kent Area had been compared by the Home Office with corresponding Police areas at Thurrock, Grays and Milton Keynes.
• An Alcohol Misuse Campaign was currently running from 8 May to 8 June within the North Kent Area.
• It was anticipated that there would be an increase in disorderly behaviour during the forthcoming World Cup.  An Alcohol Misuse Campaign would run during the World Cup tournament.
• A national knife amnesty had commenced where the public have been encouraged to hand in knives and similar weapons which would be disposed of.  There was not a perceived problem with knife related crimes in Gravesham.
• There were changes being introduced on the recording of crime and issuing of fixed penalty tickets which could result in an initial increase in violent crimes in the area.  It was expected that crime levels would reduce to below the current recorded levels of reported crimes.
• A meeting had been held between the Police, the Borough Council, the Department of Work and Pensions and the Fire Service to discuss enforcement issues relating to licensed premises.
• Posters and handouts had been circulated to premises that sell alcohol warning proprietors against the selling of alcohol to, or adults buying alcohol on behalf of, youths under 18.  This was a criminal offence which could lead to an £80 on-the-spot fine.
• A major problem was youth on youth crime whereby under 18's committed crimes on other under 18 year olds.
• Taxi ranks and hot food takeaway premises had been identified as "trouble spots" particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
• A pub-watch scheme was currently being run in Greenwich which was an internet based scheme.  The results would be evaluated by North Kent Police.
• The Police Licensing Officer would be targeting licensed premises on Friday, 26 May where there were problems associated with selling alcohol to under-age youths and the misuse of drugs.  The Chair of the Committee was invited to attend a future such exercise.
• A letter from the Area Commander will be sent to all licensed premises in the area warning of the implications of selling alcohol to persons under the age of 18.

At the conclusion of the presentation Chief Inspector Cooper and Mr Dimont answered Member's questions.  The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Cooper and Mr Dimont for their attendance.

The committee received the minutes of the Panel held on 27 April 2006.

Resolved that the minutes of the Panel held on 27 April 2006 be noted.

The committee was updated on the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.

The Council was required to develop a Gravesham Statement of Licensing Policy.

Consideration was given to a Gambling Policy Statement produced by the Kent and Medway Regulatory Licensing Steering Group which could be tailored to meet the individual needs of the Council.

Consultation will need to be undertaken on the draft statement.  The consultation process will take place over a 12 week period and at the end of the period responses will be assessed and, where appropriate, will be incorporated into the final draft statement for consideration by the committee at its meeting on 13 September 2006.

The Policy Statement will need to be submitted to the meeting of the Council on 12 December 2006 for approval and adoption.

Other implications of the Gambling Act were drawn to Members attention.

Resolved that

(1)       the contents of the report be noted.

(2)       the approach being taken to develop the Statement of Licensing Policy be endorsed.