Agenda item

To receive the report, which asks the Committee to note the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the implications on the Licensing Service

The Licensing Manager presented the report, which asked the Committee to note how the licensing landscape had changed over the previous two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic; the impact this had on licence holders, and the number of licence applications and complaints received by the authority.

The Committee noted that the first United Kingdom national lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020, at which time all committee hearings were postponed, and did not resume until August 2020. During this period the majority of businesses and public places were closed, and officers of the council were required to work from home.

Members heard that the workload for the Licensing Team throughout this period had focused on licenced premises with many enquiries received from licensees for advice, support and guidance.  In addition, officers carried out visits to licensed premises in relation to covid compliance, in accordance with government guidance at that time; and to ensure that premises were continuing to abide by the licensing legislation and promote the licensing objectives.

The Licensing Manager explained that officers had continued to provide critical regulatory services which included the processing of applications for new and renewal licenses across a full range of licensing functions.  Members acknowledged that there had been a 120% increase in the amount of premises licence applications received and licensing sub-committee hearings had also shown an increase.

Members was informed that the Council had adapted quickly to the new ways of working during the pandemic and many of the practices adopted had helped to improve the standard of the licensing service; to include online applications, issuing of electronic licenses, and regular email updates on any upcoming licensing amendments for licensees.

The Committee noted that, as per the statutory requirement, the Gambling Policy 2022 and Selby’s Taxi Licensing Policy were both out for public consultation at the present time.

Finally, in terms of Selby’s taxi licence holders, the Committee was informed that the taxi trade had suffered greatly during the periods of lockdown, with licence holders surrendering licenses and leaving the taxi trade to find alternative employment. It was noted that this had impacted on the number of complaints received by the authority as there were fewer customers and less drivers and vehicles.

The pandemic had also had an impact on the number of first-time driver licence applications with other drivers being less likely to change their vehicle, particularly in relation to high-end executive vehicles which, in the first instance, would normally be considered at Committee, where officers did not have delegated authority to make the decision.

Members noted that due to the pandemic and fewer applications meeting the criteria to reach Licensing Committee, that although Licensing hearings were programmed into the Committee calendar monthly, if there was no business for the Committee to consider then these may need to be cancelled.           

Members queried if taxi drivers had received any form of support from the Government during lockdown, it was confirmed that the government had made grants available, upon application, for the licensed trade, however this area of work was undertaken by the Council’s Revenue and Benefits team rather than the Licensing team.

The Chair thanked officers for their continued hard work.

RESOLVED:

                    To note the update.