Agenda item

Purpose:

1.1       To set out the work of the Licensing Committee, Licensing Sub-Committee and Licensing Service in 2023/24.

1.2       To explain the context of providing Licensing functions through the Public Protection Partnership (PPP).

1.3       To provide an update on the electric taxi vehicle remittance scheme.

The Committee considered the West Berkshire Council Licensing Annual Report (Agenda Item 4), which was introduced by Moira Fraser.

Members asked how the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) would discharge its additional duties, particularly those relating to single use plastics and reducing violence against women and girls.

Officers confirmed that in relation to single use plastics, the initial focus was on raising awareness amongst local businesses. Any issues were being picked up as part of routine visits (e.g., hygiene inspections, trading standards or licensing). Compliance had been found to be very high.

Officers regularly met with Thames Valley Police to discuss reducing violence against women and girls. Businesses operating within the night-time economy were encouraged to adopt the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative and this was being integrated into the PPP’s inspections pro-forma. Businesses with younger customers (especially the largers chains), were found to be more likely to be aware of the scheme and to promote it to their customers.

The Committee acknowledged that the PPP had been stretched in recent months and commended the officers who had worked very hard and had ‘gone the extra mile’ to deliver services. Members welcomed the news that the service was now up to full strength.

Members also asked for further detail about the apprentices. It was confirmed that three out of four apprentices in the first cohort had successfully completed their training, and the fourth had just sat their exams. Two officers were undertaking Level 6 apprenticeship in Trading Standards and another officer was starting their second year of their Environmental Health Level 6 qualification. The service would take on a new cohort of apprentices in due course.

Members praised the format of the annual report as being easy to read and understand, but asked if trend data could be included within the statistics to highlight areas of concern. It was confirmed that the overall picture in West Berkshire was positive.

Members asked for more detail in relation to complaints. Officers did not have information available in relation to recent complaints, but undertook to provide this within future reports.

Action: Information on complaints to be included in future annual reports.

The Committee welcomed progress made in supporting the taxi trade to switch to greener vehicles.

Members asked about licences granted for people training animals for exhibition. Officers did not have details about recent licences, but explained that these covered petting farms, falconry centres, and even animals appearing in television programmes. Licences had associated inspection regimes.

Action: Sean Murphy to provide Members with details of the current licences for people training animals for exhibition.

The Committee noted the increase in dermal personal and premises registrations and asked about the associated inspection regime. It was explained that there were standard inspections covering aspects such as handwashing facilities, sanitation/cleaning of equipment and use of non-porous surfaces in order to minimise spread of disease.

Members asked about knowledge of/compliance with the new regulations related to single use plastics and whether the regulations were particularly complex. Those working with the Plastic Free Community in Thatcham had found that some businesses were not aware of the new regulations.

Officers acknowledged that there was always more that could be done around communications and awareness raising. However, the PPP had written to businesses to advise them of the requirements of the new regulations, and this was being picked up as part of routine inspections. Officers were not aware of any lack of compliance, but welcomed intelligence that could inform inspections. It was suggested that this may be more of an issue for fairs and mobile catering.

RESOLVED to approve the West Berkshire Council Licensing Annual Report 2023/24.