Apologies were received from Cllrs Joan Henry, and Robert Page. Cllr Kohler joined the meeting online.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of 28 June were agreed as a correct record.

The Licensing Manager introduced the report, noting in particular that the review was required every three years.  Cumulative Impact is not an indication of badly managed premises, but the outcome of the density of licensed premises in an area. 

The review is required to prevent disproportionate impact on new business and to ensure that the policy remains an appropriate response to uphold the licensing objectives.

Merton has two CIAs, the report recommends to retain those areas, but no further CIAs to be implemented.  If the paper was agreed, a public consultation would follow for 12 weeks, the outcome of which would be brought to the Licensing Committee and then agreed at Full Council.

In response to questions the Licencing Manager confirmed that:

-       The CIA does not prevent applications, and officers are obliged to grant licenses where no objections are received. 

-       Applicants are able to agree measures with responsible authorities to promote the licencing objectives.

-       Data on unchecked purchases include both under age purchases and those where premises should be operating a check 25 policy, provided by Trading Standards.

-       Test purchases follow engagement with premises to ensure compliance. 

-       The Guidance on CIAs has changed slightly, it is still a rebuttable assumption that a licence would be refused in a CIA, unless the applicant can show that their business will not have a cumulative impact as part of their application.

-       The data provided from now on will be based on the new ward boundaries. 

-       Data on domestic violence related to alcohol consumpttion was not included in the report, but enquiries will be made about its inclusion in future reports.

It was RESOLVED that :

-       the Licensing Committee considered the proposed Cumulative Impact Assessment, attached at Appendix A, and approved it for consultation.

-       the Licensing Committee considered the proposed changes made to Appendix 3 of the existing Statement of Licensing Policy, produced as appendix B to this report