Minutes:
Adrian Overton introduced the report. He explained the evidence for both the Fulham and Shepherd’s Bush cumulative impact policies (CIP) was due to expire on the 6th April 2021 and as a result, the Police and Crime Act required the Authority to renew its evidence for both CIPs. It was noted that the Licensing Service was due to carry out a review of both policies in 2020 to assess the evidence for renewals of both policies. However, this could not take place due to covid-19.Had evidence gathering been conducted during the pandemic, it would not have been representative of normal operating conditions. Adrian explained that as a result, the Licensing Service had decided to delay its evidence gathering until the summer of 2021 to assess the impact of the night-time economy. The current proposal was to let the evidence for both CIPs expire and carry out a consultation on this proposal.
Adrian explained that any Licensing decisions taken between 6 April 2021 and the implementation of the new CIPs would clearly state that CIP evidence had not been used in reaching the decision. Reiterating his previous point, Adrian confirmed that by allowing the current CIP evidence to expire, this would allow the Authority to assess how the night-time and day-time economies responded to covid-19 and ensured decision making was informed on the 'new normal' rather than relying on historic data.
Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler commented it was important that as soon as the consultation on the CIPs had been concluded, that the CIP policy was implemented to protect town centres. In response, Adrian Overton confirmed that the nature of town centres had changed in the last decade and any decision on the implementation of CIPs would be evidence led. The Chair, Councillor Natalia Perez asked officers to provide further details on how the Licensing service worked with the Police on evidence gathering and how Licensing Action Groups worked. In response, Adrian Overton confirmed that at present, the Licensing Service was meeting twice a week with the Police to discuss Covid related issues and any actions arising would be taken as part of a multi-agency approach.
Turning to the Council’s Licensing and Gambling polices, Adrian Overton highlighted that the Authorities’ statement of licensing policy was due to expire in July 2022. He confirmed the Licensing Service had looked at several ideas such as possibly replicate planning regeneration areas. Other suggestions included possibly offering free pre-application advice to small businesses who wanted to provide live entertainment as part off their licensing application. It was noted that the Licensing Service would be working in partnership with the London Night Czar and the Head of the Night-time Commission about further opportunities to promote and support a 24-hour borough in Hammersmith and Fulham.
In relation to the Council’s statement of Gambling Principles, Lisa White confirmed these were due to expire in January 2022 and a consultation on a new statement was scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021. The Committee were informed that the Gambling Commission were currently consulting on all forms of gambling and ascertaining views on tighter restrictions for all gambling Lisa White confirmed the Authority would be supporting tighter restrictions on all forms of gambling.
The Committee learnt that the Council was participating in a pan-London group (which was still in its infancy) to address problem gambling and measures to protect the most vulnerable. Officers confirmed an update would be provided in due course on its progress.