The Licensing Committee of Bexley Council met on Thursday, 18 January 2024, to discuss various licensing matters. Key decisions included the proposed increase in fees and charges for a range of licences and the retention of saturation policies in Bexleyheath and Welling town centres.

Fees and Charges for Licences

The committee considered proposals to increase fees and charges for various licences administered by the council, effective from 1 April 2024. This includes a 6% uplift for discretionary fees and charges, in line with the Council's Charging Policy and Mid-Term Financial Strategy. Fees for animal licensing were also revised to reflect changes in processes and procedures following a cost recovery exercise. Statutory fees, which are set by Central Government, remain unchanged.

The proposed increases aim to ensure full cost recovery for services provided. For example, the daily charge for street trading licences in Bexleyheath Broadway is proposed to increase from £27 to £29, and from £21 to £23 elsewhere in the borough. A new charge of £160 per day will also be introduced for temporary events licences with over 20 stalls to cover additional street cleansing costs.

Licensing Act 2003 - Cumulative Impact - Review of Saturation Policies

The committee reviewed the necessity of existing saturation policies in Bexleyheath Town Centre and Welling Town Centre. Evidence presented indicated that these policies remain necessary due to the concentration of licensed premises potentially undermining licensing objectives, such as the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance.

The committee agreed to retain the saturation policies for Bexleyheath and Welling Town Centres. Consequently, they authorised consultation on the proposed revision to the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy to reflect this decision. The consultation period is scheduled from 29 January 2024 to 21 April 2024, with the aim of having the revised policies effective from 1 August 2024.

Licences Determined Under Delegated Authority

The committee received a summary of licences granted under delegated authority by the Deputy Director, Strategic Planning and Housing. This included:

• Licensing Act 2003 - Premises Licences/Club Premises Certificates - Grant of a new licence or certificate: Four new premises licences were granted between 1 October 2023 and 31 December 2023. These included 'Lounge' at 96-98 Sidcup High Street, 'Sakura Sushi & Bento' at 98A Bellegrove Road, 'Lebano Bites' at 16 Upper Wickham Lane, and '2718 Unit V' at Unit V Acorn Industrial Park.
• Licensing Act 2003 Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates Variation: One full variation was granted to 'Welling Convenience Store' at 25 Welling High Street, allowing for 24-hour opening and alcohol sales.
• Licensing Act 2003 Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates Minor variation: Fourteen minor variations were granted for premises including 'Morrisons Daily' at 170 Halfway Street, 'Bexley Wines & Beers' at 9 Dartford Road, and 'Sainsburys' at Broadway Square. These typically involved changes to layouts or trading names.
• Licensing Act 2003 - Premises Licences - Variation to change the name of a designated premises supervisor: Thirty applications were granted.
• Licensing Act 2003 - Premises Licences - Transfer: Eleven applications to transfer existing premises licences were granted.
• Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013: No licences were revoked, and no applications were refused during the reporting period.

Approved Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee

The committee noted the approved minutes from a Licensing Sub-Committee hearing on 9 June 2023, where an application for the variation of a Premises Licence for Jordan Food and Wine, 257 Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, Kent DA16 3AP, was refused in its entirety. Additionally, a pending hearing concerning a review of the Premises Licence for the same premises by Trading Standards was mentioned, with minutes awaiting sign-off.

Licensing Enforcement Update

An update was provided on recent enforcement activities. This included information on licensing enforcement, with a note that while the situation has improved, issues with violence persist. Allegations of spiking were investigated and found to be untrue. The forthcoming ban on nitrous oxide was also discussed, with Trading Standards confirming test purchasing will be conducted. An increase in shoplifting was noted, though organised crime gangs targeting licensed premises had not yet been observed in Bexley. Trading Standards also reported on test purchasing for vapes and upcoming inspections of firework shops.