The Hackney Council Licensing Committee met on Wednesday, 10 January 2024, to discuss updates on the Late Night Levy and the Licensing Service's annual report, and to consider options for Cumulative Impact Assessments in several areas of the borough. The committee resolved to note the reports and to proceed with considering a Cumulative Impact Assessment for Shoreditch and Dalston, with a consultation to follow.

Late Night Levy Update

Samantha Mathys, Late Night Levy Manager, presented an update on the Levy's activities during the third quarter of Year 6 (May to August 2023). The committee noted that training for nightlife and security staff remained high, with over 2,600 individuals trained since the program's inception, and free monthly sessions confirmed until 2025. The #DontCrosstheLine campaign, focused on tackling misogyny and sexual harassment in the Night Time Economy (NTE), was highlighted as a key initiative, with significant engagement reported. The Hackney Nights Portal now includes 100% of licensed bars, pubs, and clubs, with all venues having accounts and receiving weekly briefings. The accreditation scheme for venues has seen nearly 30 venues accredited, with more applications pending. A new noise and planning checker, funded by the Greater London Assembly, has been launched to implement more business-friendly licensing, planning, and noise processes.

During the discussion, members welcomed new training courses, including those on gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, and the #DontCrosstheLine campaign. The noise and planning checker was noted as a tool that would notify venues of noise reports, allowing for real-time issue resolution. The Metropolitan Police were reportedly using Hackney as a model for best practice in establishing zero-tolerance spaces within the NTE. Drink spiking remained a focus of training, with venues showing positive responses in intercepting such activities. It was also noted that there were no NTE-related sexual offences over the festive period.

The committee resolved to note the report and its appendix.

Licensing Service Annual Report 2022/23

David Tuitt, Team Leader for Business Regulation, provided an overview of the Licensing Service's Annual Report for 2022/23. The report indicated that premises licences continued to be the focus of Licensing Sub-Committee hearings, with a consistent fall in new applications over the past five years. The number of variations and transfers remained stable. Temporary Event Notices (TENs) had increased but had not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, with Hackney receiving the second-highest number of TENs in London. The number of licence reviews had fallen compared to the previous year, and applications for Massage and Special Treatment Licences appeared to be returning to pre-pandemic levels. New applications and renewals under the Gambling Act remained consistent. Key activities for the forthcoming year include the Hackney Nights initiative, increased inspections of licensed premises, and the continued implementation of new software.

The committee welcomed the report. Discussion touched upon anecdotal evidence suggesting a shift in social habits, possibly influenced by working from home and economic challenges, particularly in areas closer to the city. The high number of TENs was attributed to the nature of the NTE. A spike in licence revocations was explained by one premises holding three licences, all subject to review, leading to the revocation of all three.

The committee resolved to note the report and its appendix.

Cumulative Impact Options

The committee considered options for Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIAs) in five areas: the former Shoreditch Special Policy Area (SPA), the former Dalston SPA, Broadway Market and London Fields, Hackney Central, and Hackney Wick. David Tuitt explained that CIAs are used to limit licensing applications in areas where the density of licensed premises negatively impacts the licensing objectives.

The research indicated that Shoreditch remained Hackney's most significant hotspot for crime, ambulance callouts, and fixed penalty notices, with incidents predominantly occurring at night. While crime rates had significantly improved post-pandemic in both Shoreditch and Dalston, Shoreditch's issues persisted. Dalston generally had fewer incidents, concentrated in the central part of the former SPA, with lower levels in the northern and southern areas. Hackney Central, Hackney Wick, and Broadway Market/London Fields showed lower levels of incidents compared to Shoreditch and Dalston.

The committee resolved to proceed with considering a CIA for the former Shoreditch SPA, including a potential widened area to the southwest, and for the former Dalston SPA. The CIA could apply to all relevant authorisations or only to specific types of authorisations. Officers were tasked with considering the most effective way to consult all stakeholders. It was agreed that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a CIA for Broadway Market and London Fields, Hackney Central, or Hackney Wick.

During the discussion, a question was raised by Ms Kerry Maisey and Mr Dan Beaumont, Co-Chairs of Dalston Pubwatch, regarding the evidence required to accept that Dalston no longer warranted a Cumulative Impact Area. The Chair of Licensing explained that a decision on consultation had not yet been made and that any views and evidence received during a future consultation would be considered. Councillor Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, assured that no decision had been taken and requested this be relayed to members of Dalston Pubwatch. Ms Maisey expressed concern that the evidence presented suggesting Dalston no longer required a CIA might be disregarded in favour of anecdotal evidence.

The committee also discussed the potential for a downgrade in Dalston to a Special Consideration Area (SCA) and the importance of clear, accessible language in any future consultation, including maps of the relevant areas and details of which types of businesses might be included or exempted. It was noted that while the research provided substantial information, vital input from residents and ward councillors was missing.

The committee resolved to:

• Consider the area within the boundary formerly identified as the Shoreditch SPA, and the area to the southwest, for inclusion in a CIA, applying to all or specific relevant authorisations. Officers will consult stakeholders.
• Consider the area within the boundary formerly identified as the Dalston SPA for inclusion in a CIA, applying to all or specific relevant authorisations. Officers will consult stakeholders.
• Not describe the Broadway Market and London Fields, Hackney Central, and Hackney Wick areas in the consultation due to insufficient evidence.

Any Other Business

The committee noted that dates for Licensing Sub-Committees for the remainder of the Municipal Year had been circulated and encouraged members to confirm their availability.