Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from Mike Smith, Senior Specialist for Licensing and Community Safety.  The Committee noted that the Business and Planning Act 2020 enacted in July 2020 sought to assist the hospitality industry recover from the first Covid19 lockdown by making it easier for premises serving food and drink such as bars, restaurants and pubs to seat and serve customers outdoors through temporary changes to planning procedures and alcohol licensing.  The legislation was introduced with an original end date of September 2021.

On 20 July 2021 the Government extended Pavement Licences until 30 September 2022 under the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.  The Licensing Committee also approved a Policy concerning the Pavement Licensing function and extended it to the September date.

On 16 June 2022, a Statutory Instrument was laid in Parliament to extend the provisions for a further year, pending the creation of a permanent new Pavement Licensing regime under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.  The Committee were therefore asked to approve the extension of the Pavement Licensing Policy for another year.  The Committee agreed that the policy had made Guildford Town a more vibrant place to be and fully endorsed the recommendation.

The Committee having discussed the report;

RESOLVED to note the extension of the Business and Planning Act for the Licenced trade, and subject to the passing of the necessary Statutory Instrument, approves the extension of the current Pavement Licensing Policy for a further 12 months.