To note the membership, including Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Opposition Spokesperson of the Public Protection Sub-Committee for the Municipal Year 2013/2014.

RESOLVED: That the Membership of the Public Protection Sub-Committee be noted.

To note the terms of reference for the Public Protection Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Terms of Reference for the Public Protection Sub-Committee be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Public Protection.

The Head of Public Protection submitted a report requesting Members to consider an application for renewal of approval to hold Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships at Davenport Green Hall Marquee by Davenport Green Hall Limited which had received representations from Trafford’s Superintendent Registrar and Trafford Council’s Planning department.

Representations were made by Mr. Isaq, Davenport Green Hall Limited and Mr. McGowan, Trafford Council’s Planning department at the meeting.

The Sub-Committee also had regard to the Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005 and the written representation from Trafford’s Superintendent Registrar.

The Sub-Committee considered that the most important and basic facility which needed to be provided at the premises was the ability to hold the marriage ceremony in the marquee.  Since an approval of the premises lasts for a minimum of three years, the Sub-Committee considered that this period was an appropriate factor to take into account when considering the suitability of the premises for approval.  It acknowledged that availability for a shorter period could be acceptable in appropriate circumstances.  People generally plan their wedding well in advance so the certainty of being able to conduct the marriage ceremony at the premises is an important factor in assessing its suitability for that purpose.

The marquee does not have planning permission to be on the site at Davenport Green Hall, in view of the lack of certainty about the marquee resulting from its lack of appropriate planning permission; the Sub-Committee concluded that it lacked a basic facility which would make it suitable for approval as premises to conduct marriage ceremonies.

RESOLVED: That the application to renew the approval for Premises as a venue for Marriages and Civil Partnerships be refused.

Although it did not form part of the reasons for the decision not to renew the approval the Sub-Committee noted that despite the officer’s concluding that the premises complied with Schedule 1 of the regulations, the lack of planning control gave them cause to doubt that there were appropriate fire and health and safety precautions in the marquee.

Motion (Which may be amended as Members think fit):

That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

RESOLVED: That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the following items on the agenda because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

To consider a report of the Head of Public Protection.

The Head of Public Protection submitted a report requesting Members to consider an application for a Private Hire driver’s licence.  The applicant attended the meeting to enable Members to give the matter their full consideration.

RESOLVED: That Mr. F. I’s application for a Private Hire driver’s licence be granted.