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Members received and considered a report from the Licensing and Elections Manager regarding the proposed implementation of a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA).
The Licensing and Elections Manager explained that, following Member approval at the 3rd November 2025 Licensing Committee meeting, a public consultation was undertaken between November 2025 and January 2025. As part of this consultation, relevant parties were asked for their view in relation to the CIA and local issues, as outlined in the agenda report. It was reported that 55 responses were received in total, with 7 email comments collated and presented in Appendix 2 and 48 online survey responses summarised in Appendix 3. The Licensing and Elections Manager added that there was an amendment to Appendix 2 before the meeting as one of the 7 email comments had been missed, this additional comment from Environmental Health was provided as a physical copy to Members at the meeting and was published as an amended appendix for public viewing. The Licensing and Elections Manager reported that there was overall support for the implementation of a CIA in the proposed area and that this support is backed by relevant police data that evidences a clear and persistent concentration of alcohol relating crime and anti-social behaviour within Great Yarmouth. Due to this support by the public, relevant local authorities and the police, Members were asked to approve the implementation of a Cumulative Impact Assessment for the area detailed in Appendix 1.
Councillor Waters-Bunn stated that is in favour of the CIA and asked whether the Council could reassure business owners in the hospitality sector that this would not have a negative impact on their businesses. The Chair commented that this reassurance was likely to be given during the consultation period. The Licensing And Elections Manager explained that the CIA would not change fundamentally how applications are received or processed, however it will allow for officers to provide direction if they believe that an applicant has not thought about adding conditions to an application which would support a more robust approach to preventing alcohol related crime and disorder. Councillor Waters-Bunn stated that the police statistics suggest that many of the reported issues are in relation to off licences and not the hospitality sector, so it would be useful to reassure these business owners that the CIA would not have a negative impact on them. The Head of Environment and Sustainability explained that this would only effect existing business if they applied to make a change to their existing licence or if their licence was reviewed by Committee due to failure to support the Licensing Objectives. It was added that if an existing business is operating well and does not require a review triggered by local authorities, then this CIA would not have an impact on them.
The Chair requested clarification on the review dates in the agenda as there is confusion as to whether the CIA would be reviewed in 3 years or 5 years. The Licensing and Elections Manager clarified that the CIA would be reviewed in 3 years and that the Licensing Policy is reviewed every 5 years.
Councillor Thompson commented that he supports the CIA and asked how this would effect a n application for a new premises within the relevant area. The Licensing and Elections Manager explained that the applicant would go through the same application process as any other business, however officers would be able to advise on conditions if they feel that proposed conditos are not robust enough to prevent any issues that may lead to alcohol related crime or anti-social behaviour. It was noted that an objection would still need to be made for an application to be brought before a Licensing Sub-Committee. The Head of Environment and Sustainability added that, as the local licensing authority, officers would be able to list what is expected of premises holders within this area and that there would be an expectation of more information at application stage as to how a new applicant intends to uphold the Licensing Objectives and prevent issues in relation to crime and disorder caused by alcohol.
Councillor Galer asked what range of powers Environmental Health would have to deal with anti-social behaviour in Great Yarmouth. The Head of Environment and Sustainability explained that there is a taskforce that is set to launch soon involving new Enforcements Officers and the police. It was added that the expectation would be that officers would gain evidence to determine whether a premises was acting irresponsibly in the sale of alcohol and that the police would be notified if necessary. It was explained that if officers had immediate concerns regarding the behaviour or safety of intoxicated individuals in the streets, the police and/or an ambulance would be called. The Head of Environment and Sustainability added that there is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO Number 1 of 2025) that covers the whole Borough and allows officers to address street drinking by asking individuals to move along or by issuing fixed penalty notices of the PSPO is breached. It was explained that the new taskforce will see 6 officers on the ground at any given time, meaning that there will be a high officer presence within the time which would hopefully act as a deterrent for anti-social behaviour. It was concluded that the CIA would be an additional tool that can be ustilised by officers to tackle anti-social behaviour within the town.
Councillor Robinson-Payne state that she is in favour of the CIA and asked whether it will expire in 3 years and need approval again beforehand to remain in place or whether it would be a rolling policy that gets updated every 3 years. The Licensing and Elections Manager explained that the CIA would need to be reviewed before it expires 3 years after the initial implementation date. Councillor Robinson-Payne asked whether Local Government Reform (LGR) would have an impact on the CIA and whether this would still be in place once GYBC ceases to exist with a new unitary Council taking its place. The Head of Environment and Sustainability explained that anything that is implemented by GYBC will continue in the new unitary authority through a structural change order and that the review date for the CIA will still be 3 years from the implementation date regardless of what happens with LGR.
Councillor Newcombe asked whether there would be an increase in objections submitted by authorities such as the police and Environmental Health once the CIA is implemented. The Licensing and Elections Manager stated that officers expect an increase in objections from responsible authorities if applicants have not included enough information in their operating schedule and application to show a robust approach to prevent alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour. Sergeant Smith stated that, as a responsible authority, the local police would intend to ensure that objections are submitted if an application requires more robust conditions. It was added that the CIA is not a significant reform, but an aid to combating anti-social behaviour that should not effect business that operate responsibly. Sergeant Smith stated that the local authorities want the public to have a positive impression of Great Yarmouth’s night time economy, and with the CIA in place actions can be taken when needed to have a positive impact on the town.
Councillor Newcombe asked whether Members could be given additional training on what kinds of conditions could be added to licences to adhere with the expectations of a new premises within the CIA area. The Licensing and Elections Manager confirmed that officers would be happy to arrange training on this matter.
Councillor Dwyer-McCluskey asked whether the police could check the level of security at a premises as some premises do not have enough security, or if security is in place they are not trained correctly. Sergeant Smith explained that the police can request a review of a licence to look at specific issues such as door staff should there be a pattern of incidents. It was added that it is a staged process, and if problem narratives are identified from weekend police reports when the town is at its busiest, then reviews to licences can be raised.
Following a unanimous vote it was RESOLVED:
That the Committee approve the implementation of a Cumulative Impact Assessment for the area detailed in Appendix 1 of the agenda report.