Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Charles Rideout and Councillor Tim Stevens.  Councillors Robert Evans and Simon Fawthrop attended as their alternates.

No declarations of interest were received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th July 2010 be agreed.

The following items are listed as outstanding from previous meetings:

Early Morning Alcohol Restriction Orders

This report has been deferred to a future meeting of the Committee.

Appeals Sub-Committee - Minutes of the meetings held on 5^th, 16^th and 25^th February 2010 (Minute 133, 7 April 2010)

This report has been deferred to a future meeting of the Committee pending the outcome of an Employment Tribunal.

Councillor Van Deliveries (Minute 43, 28 July 2010)

Councillor van deliveries were reduced over the August recess period as planned without any major problems occurring. Officers are developing proposals which will be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee. 

Sub-Committee Minutes

Minutes for the following Sub-Committee meetings will be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee –

Pensions Investment Sub-Committee - 8 September 2010

Audit Sub-Committee - 16 September 2010

Councillor Nicholas Bennett reported that decisions from two Employment Tribunal cases had been received and that as a result of this the Committee could now consider the report that had been requested following the Appeal Sub-Committee in February 2010.

To hear questions received in writing by the Director of Legal, Democratic and Customer Services by 5 pm on Tuesday 21 September 2010 and to respond.

No questions were received.

The Committee considered a report detailing the conclusions and significant issues arising from the work carried out in relation to the audit of the 2009/10 accounts.

Mr Stuart Brown and Ms Janet Dawson from PricewaterhouseCoopers attended the meeting and confirmed that the report presented reflected their views.

RESOLVED that the external auditor’s report be noted and the Chairman be authorised to sign the letter of representation for 2009/10 on behalf of the Council.

This report is also to be considered by the Executive on 29^th September 2010, and is circulated under separate cover.

The Committee considered a report setting out a policy for determining the number of sex establishments in the ‘relevant locality’, standard licensing conditions and fees for sex establishments.  At the General Purposes and Licensing meeting on 28^th July 2010, Members agreed to recommend to Council the adoption of the provision relating to the Licensing of Sex Entertainment Venues under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as amended by section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009.

A Member highlighted that the legal information at the beginning of the report needed to be updated to reflect that the 1982 Act had been amended by the section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop asked what changes to legislation had been made since 1982 and the Head of Food Safety, Occupational Safety and Licensing outlined the legislative changes that had been made, and confirmed that the most recent legislation was similar to the legislation that had been in effect in 1982.

RESOLVED that (1) the Policy for determining the number of sex establishments be approved; (2) Standard Licensing Conditions be approved; (3) Fees for Sex establishments be approved; and (4) the matter be referred to the Executive and Full Council for adoption with effect from 1 January 2011.

This report is also to be considered by the Executive on 29^th September 2010, and is circulated under separate cover.

The Committee considered a report seeking approval of revised standard conditions for animal welfare with effect from 1 January 2011.

A Member highlighted that Christmas Tree Farm sold animals and questioned whether it would have to conform to these conditions.  The Head of Food Safety, Occupational Safety and Licensing confirmed that the Farm did have a license and would fall within these standard conditions. 

RESOLVED that (1) the standard conditions/guidance for use in relation to riding establishments, pet shops, dangerous wild animals, animal boarding establishments (home boarding), animal boarding establishments (cats), animal boarding establishments (dogs) and breeding establishments be approved; and (2) that matter be referred to the Executive and Full Council for approval and adoption with effect from 1 January 2011.

At the General Purposes and Licensing meeting on 14^th July 2010 Councillor Nicholas Bennett requested information on the number of applications made, granted and refused under the Licensing Act 2003.  The Committee considered a report outlining this information.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

RESOLVED that the minutes from the Audit Sub-Committee held on 10^th June 2010, excluding exempt information be noted.

The Chairman highlighted that since the publication of this agenda, minor amendments had been made to the minutes of this meeting.  The most up to date minutes were available on the Bromley Council website under Rights of Way Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED that the minutes from the Rights of Way Sub-Committee held on 1 September 2010 be noted.

RESOLVED that the minutes from the Appeals Sub-Committee held on 26^th July 2010, excluding exempt information be noted.

RESOLVED that the minutes from the Appeals Sub-Committee held on 2^nd September 2010, excluding exempt information be noted

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes from the Audit Sub Committee held on 10 June 2010 be noted.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes from the Appeals Sub Committee held on 26July 2010 be noted.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes from the Appeals Sub Committee held on 2 September 2010 be noted and that at the next meeting the Committee receive a report addressing the concerns that have previously been raised by Members.