Agenda item

Members were provided with an overview of the enforcement work that Licensing Officers had undertaken to date.

The Licensing Officers continued to work proactively with the Licensed Trade and other Responsible Authorities to ensure that any issues and concerns within the trade were raised and addressed accordingly.

Members were informed of the following work undertaken by the Licensing Officers to date:-

·                Pubwatch

A training session on First Aid, Ask for Angela and Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) would be provided to licensees at the conclusion of the next town centre Pubwatch meeting.  The VAWG training would highlight the importance of employees and businesses being aware of the increased risk of violence against women and girls in the night time economy.

·                Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI)

The Home Office had requested that Licensing SAVI be developed, which provided advice and guidance for venues to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment, and to help raise standards.  The initiative was backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Venues would receive a star-rated award upon accreditation to indicate to the public that they operated as safe and secure as possible.  To date, a total of 5 venues in Barnsley had been accredited, the majority of which having 5 star accreditations.  The initiative had been well received in Barnsley town centre.

Licensing SAVI assists to support the four licensing objectives of:-

·                The Prevention of Crime and Disorder

·                Public Safety

·                The Prevention of Public Nuisance

·                The Protection of Children from Harm

·                Purple Flag Assessment

The Purple Flag accreditation had been assessed in the town centre on the opening of Bright Nights.  This had included several presentations to showcase Barnsley’s achievements and heritage, a tour of the Glassworks, and a walk around the Purple Flag route.  During the evening, the assessors had met with the Street Pastors and Nightlife Marshals.

It was hoped that Barnsley would secure its fifth year of Purple Flag accreditation.

Councillor Tattersall expressed her thanks for the work undertaken with local licensed premises in Barnsley town centre in relation to Pubwatch.  She queried the plans in place to assist the licensed premises outside of the town centre.

D Bailey commented that a Pubwatch scheme was also ran outside of Barnsley town centre which provided the same support to the license holders.  A more targeted approach was given to the out of town licensed premises and any issues would be addressed when necessary.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Hunt regarding Licensing SAVI, D Bailey commented that there was not a requirement for the venues to display the star-rated awards, which were also detailed on the Licensing SAVI accreditation website.  A further 12 venues were currently working to secure accreditation, and it was hoped to roll out the initiative into the Dearne area.

Councillor Booker queried whether Barnsley MBC would follow the Sheffield CC initiative for paramedics to be situated in tents in the town centre on specific evenings to provide beds and vomit bowls etc. to ease the pressure on the Accident and Emergency Department.

D Bailey commented that the matter was currently being discussed with other colleagues.  At present, Marshalls were situated on taxi ranks to provide support to vulnerable people and make them a priority in the taxi queue to get them home safely.  Street Angels also patrolled Barnsley town centre to assist vulnerable individuals by helping them to the taxi ranks, telephoning friends, South Yorkshire Police or the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.  In addition, Street Pasters, who are independent from Barnsley MBC walk the streets on an evening to offer assistance to vulnerable people.

In the event that Barnsley would secure its fifth year of Purple Flag accreditation, Councillor Tattersall queried whether the Purple Flag could be displayed again.

D Bailey would put forward the suggestion.

Councillor Wright referred to the Ask for Angela initiative and he queried whether any further assistance could be provided to vulnerable adults including the LGBTIQA+ community.

In response, D Bailey commented that Ask for Angela covered everyone.  Work was undertaken with licensed premises, who had a safeguarding lead, that would move a vulnerable individual to a safe place until assistance could be provided.

Councillor Moyes queried whether training was provided to licensees on drink spiking which had featured recently in the news.

Members noted that training was provided to licensees via Pubwatch.  All licensees were given advice on monitoring the situation and they were provided with spike covers for glasses and bottles to be handed out to customers. The Licensing Department would attend the premises following reports of any incidents.  It had been a long period of time since any drink spiking incidents had been reported to Licensing Officers in Barnsley.

RESOLVED – That Members noted that the Licensing Officers would continue to proactively work with the Licensed Trade and other Responsible Authorities to ensure that any issues and concerns within the trade were raised and addressed accordingly and that Licensees receive the advice and support they require to ensure they comply with their legal and conditional licence requirements.