Agenda and minutes
PDF 45 KBVenue: This meeting will be held remotely at https://www.youtube.com/user/northamptonbcTV. View directions
Contact: Email: democraticservices@northampton.gov.uk
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies received from Councillors Aziz and Walker. |
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2020 were agreed and signed by the chair as a true and accurate record.
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Deputations/Public Addresses Minutes: There were none. |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: There were none. |
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Matters of Urgency which by reason of special circumstances the Chair is of the opinion should be considered Minutes: There were none. |
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Business & Planning Act 2020 - New Pavement Licences (Copy herewithin) Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation, the Licensing Team Leader addressed the Licensing Committee and explained that the report requested Members to delegate the administration, determination and enforcement of Pavement Licences, as created by Part 1 of the Business and Planning Act 2020, to the Director of Customer and Cultural Services and to set an application fee for such a licence. The Licensing Team Leader read out the recommendations as detailed in the report and explained that the Business and Planning Act 2020 would support local businesses as Covid-19 lockdown measures are removed. The Licensing Team Leader explained the process and implications for businesses, as outlined in the report and explained that licenses would be considered within a 14-day period.
Members discussed the report and questioned whether the act would transition when the Unitary takes effect from 1 April 2021. The Senior Licensing and Litigation Solicitor explained that policies such as this would be reviewed by the government and Unitary and it would be expected that the policy would continue into Unitary and would be reviewed in September 2021.
Members also felt that given the financial impact on businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, a fee of zero should be instated to demonstrate the Council’s support for local business.
Members raised concerns for accessibility for wheelchair users and pushchairs and hoped that restaurants would be able to have seating arrangements to accommodate everyone. Members asked if outdoor seating arrangements would extend to the road for some restaurants. It was clarified that guidance would be provided to ensure that restaurants did not exclude anyone. In some cases, roads may be closed to allow businesses to have outdoor seating arrangements and this would be decided by the Highways Agency.
RESOLVED:
That recommendations 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 were approved unamended. Recommendation 2.3 was refused, with Members resolving that no fee should be charged with regard to an application for a Licence
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