Purpose

To seek approval on the revised Licensing Policy which is a
statutory requirement and requires updating every 5 years in
accordance with statute.

Content

 The Cabinet considered a report of the
Director of Public Health and Communities, which sought to inform
of the outcome of the public consultation exercise on the draft
Statement of Licensing Policy 2026-2031. The report also sought
approval of the policy, prior to its submission to Full Council for
adoption.
 
The Cabinet Member
Climate Change and Environment delivered a brief summary of the
report’s key points.
 
The Head of Public
Protection was in attendance to present the report and to address
the questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.
 
The Officers
informed that the Council had to determine and publish a Statement
of Licensing Policy every five years, in order to meet its
statutory obligations. The existing Statement of Licensing Policy
was effective from 31 January 2021.
The determination
and publishing of the new policy was required to be undertaken by
January 2026.
 
The purpose of the
policy statement was to define how the Council’s
responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003 were going to be
exercised and administered. The Licensing Act 2003 established a
single integrated system for licensing premises that are used for
alcohol, provide regulated entertainment and offer late night
refreshments. Under this legislation, each local authority is known
as the ‘Licensing Authority’ and is responsible for
licensing alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night
refreshment in its geographical area.
 
Resolved:

1.    
That the responses of the consultation process be
noted;

2.    
That the proposed changes to the existing Statement of
Licensing Policy be agreed;

3.    
That the Statement of Licensing Policy 2026-2031 be
recommended to Full Council for adoption.
 
Reason for
decision:
Councils have a
statutory duty to prepare and publish a statement of principles
that they propose to apply in exercising their functions under
the
Licensing Act
2003. This is valid for a five-year period and therefore the
Council is required to review its policy statement every five years
to meet its statutory requirements and adopt and publish a
statement of Licensing Policy. The existing Statement of Licensing Policy
was effective from 31 January 2021.
 
Alternatives
considered and rejected:
None; it is a
statutory duty for the Council to determine and publish its
statement of Licensing Policy and there is no alternative option to
this.