Agenda item

Ian Leete, Advisor, updated the Board on LGA policy work and developments affecting regulatory services since the previous meeting.

Members noted that a final decision had been made in the case of Hemming v Westminster at the Supreme Court on licensing fees.  Westminster’s appeal was upheld which was a very positive outcome for local government. One issue around charging fees had been directed to the European Court of Justice and a further update on the outcome of that decision would be provided in due course.

Following a consultation on licensing fees in 2014, the government announced in February that it had decided against the introduction of locally set licensing fees. The decision had been taken due to a low response rate to the consultation’s request for detailed information on current costs of running the licensing framework. The statement announced that the government would ask the LGA to build the evidence base to inform a future decision. Cllr Page reported that he had met with the outgoing Minister to discuss the issue and agreed the level of evidence that was needed. However, a follow-up letter should be sent to the new Ministerial team to confirm that there was still an interest in taking this policy forward. LGA officers would continue to liaise with Home Office civil servants on the issue and a further update would be provided in due course.

The Board welcomed the news that two very successful conferences on taxi licensing had been held in March 2015, with over 200 delegates attending events in Manchester and London. The revised and expanded taxi licensing handbook for councillors had been launched at the events and had been well received. The handbook had been circulated to all councils.

Members noted that the gambling handbook had been refreshed following recent and forthcoming changes announced by the Gambling Commission. The new handbook would be re-launched within the next few weeks. The LGA had also co-funded research into the social impact of gambling with Westminster and Manchester councils, which should be completed by September 2015.

Decision

·         Members noted the report.

Actions

·         Further updates on outstanding Hemming v Westminster charging issues and the outcome of gambling research to be provided at a future meeting.

·         Officers to speak to the Home Office about the offer made before the election to survey councils on licensing fees.