A Member of the Committee observed that at some of the recent Licensing Sub-Committee Hearings only 2 Members of the panel had attended. He asked that substitute Members be available and on standby in case of non-attendance. Members unable to attend should ensure they inform the Council at least half an hour before the meeting.

Members agreed that they were uncomfortable when the panel consisted of only 2 Members. It was suggested that the Sub-Committees be amended to 4 Councillors to ensure that 3 would be available for the Hearing. The Chairman reminded the Committee that all Members were expected to be available in case a substitute Member was required.

The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that the Team would select a reserve Member for each Hearing. The extra Member would be informed that they had been selected as a reserve at the same time that the 3 expected panel Members were appointed. Their selection as reserve Member would not be recorded on the agenda.

Another Member of the Committee noted that the agenda for a recent Licensing Hearing had stated that the quorum for a Hearing was 3 people. The Democratic Services Officer clarified that the agenda was inaccurate. The quorum for Hearings had been amended to 2 by the Council on 21 July 2009.

Resolved: That the memberships of the Licensing Sub-Committees as set out in paragraph 1 of the report be approved.