The Licensing Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 22 October 2024 to discuss the proposed review of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy. The committee noted the report, which recommended retaining and expanding the Brick Lane CIA while removing the Bethnal Green CIA.

Cumulative Impact Assessment Policy Review

The main focus of the meeting was the proposed review of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) policy, which governs licensing in areas with a high concentration of licensed premises. The current policy, which has been in place for several years, aims to reduce crime, disorder, and public nuisance.

Tom Lewis, Service Manager for Regulatory Services, introduced the report, explaining that the CIA policy is reviewed every three years. The current review proposed retaining and expanding the Brick Lane CIA to its south-eastern edge, based on evidence of persistent issues linked to licensed premises. Conversely, the evidence did not support the retention of the Bethnal Green CIA, and it was recommended for removal.

The consultation process for the review ran from January to April 2024, with 47 responses to the online survey. While 40.4% of respondents favoured removing the Bethnal Green CIA, a significant portion (47%) wished to see it either retained or expanded. For the Brick Lane CIA, 55.3% supported the proposal to retain and expand it.

During the discussion, councillors raised questions about the consultation process, the evidence base for the proposed changes, and the potential impact on different areas. Councillor Sabina Akhtar highlighted the low number of survey participants and asked how to improve future engagement. Mr. Lewis acknowledged the challenge of increasing participation but stated that the consultation was extensive.

Councillor Farooq Ahmed inquired about the possibility of expanding the CIA on the south side of Aldgate East Station, and it was confirmed that the proposed expansion of the Brick Lane CIA would indeed extend past Aldgate East.

Concerns were also raised about potential impacts on areas like Hackney Wick and Columbia Road. Mr. Lewis explained that while a CIA was not currently justified in Hackney Wick due to insufficient evidence of saturation and crime, collaborative work was underway to prevent issues. Regarding Columbia Road and Ezra Street, it was stated that introducing a CIA would require a new statutory consultation and sufficient evidence of cumulative impact, which was not currently present.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed and Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain discussed the cross-borough implications, particularly concerning the Olympic Park area, Hackney Wick, and Fish Island. They highlighted the transient nature of the population and the need for coordinated efforts with neighbouring boroughs like Hackney and Newham. Mr. Lewis confirmed that discussions with Hackney colleagues were ongoing, and an environmental impact assessment had been conducted in the Hackney Wick area.

Jonathan Melnick, from Legal Services, clarified the function of the CIA, explaining that it reverses the presumption in favour of granting an application, placing the burden on the applicant to demonstrate that their proposal would not negatively impact the licensing objectives. He stressed that it does not automatically mean refusal but provides the committee with greater control.

The committee agreed to note the report, with the understanding that it would be presented to the full Council for a final decision. Councillor Salih Ahmed, who arrived late, was noted as unable to participate in the discussion due to the meeting's format.