Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillors Duschinsky and Zubairi sent apologies.

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This report had been produced at the request of the Chairman of the Licensing Committee to highlight the concerns raised by the RSPCA in relation to the sale of fireworks in the Borough.

Members suggested that wedding venues be included, under the public firework display recommendation, as detailed below.

RESOLVED that

1.    The report be noted;

2.    the Licensing Committee support the proposed RSPCA recommendations:

·         To require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

·         To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

·         To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

·         To encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.

This report provided Members with a summary of the volume of work that the London Borough of Barnet, as a Licensing Authority had dealt with in 2020 (Calendar year).

Members asked about the impact of Covid on annual renewals of Licences.

Officers reported that some licences were ‘lifetime’ licences and others were renewed after 3 or 5 years for example, so it was difficult to measure this impact in this way. However, it would be possible to get some indication of this via traders paying their annual fee.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Councillor Hart joined the meeting at this point.

This report sought approval from Members to consult on the policy in relation to street trading licences.  The policy was a review and update of the current policy.

There was some discussion around temporary licences and end dates and it was noted that this would be driven by Central Government.

There was also some discussion around street traders having their licences on display at all times.

RESOLVED that the Committee authorise the Licensing team to commence a 6-week consultation on the draft policy for street trading licence.

This report sought approval from Members to consult on the policy in relation to Animal Welfare Licences.

Members discussed issues surrounding dog carers having to hold licences and awareness around this issue. Officers reported that some media work had been done on this pre-covid and it was hoped to pick up on this again in the future.

Members also discussed some of the issues and actions taken around dog walkers, particularly relating to the number of dogs people were allowed to walk at one time and it was requested that an update report be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee.

RESOLVED that

1.    The Committee authorise the Licensing team to commence a 6-week consultation on the draft policy for Animal Welfare Licences;

2.    an update report be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee, on dog walkers.

This report sought approval from Members to consult on a draft policy in relation to licences issued under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. The current policy was approved in 2015 and the new policy was a review and refresh of the 2015 policy.

RESOLVED that the Committee approve the carrying out of a consultation on the Draft Scrap Metal Dealers Policy at Appendix 1.

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