The General Purposes and Licensing Committee of Bromley Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The meeting's agenda included a review of the recent local elections, an update on the Member Induction Programme, and discussions on appointments to outside bodies.

Annual Complaints Report and LGSCO Letter 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Complaints Report for 2025/26, which details the complaints received by the council across various departments. This report also includes an overview of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's (LGSCO) annual review letter and accompanying data sheets for the same period. The report outlines the number of complaints received, the proportion upheld, and the financial consequences of upheld complaints. It also details the council's performance in responding to complaints within statutory timescales and provides a breakdown of complaints by service area. The LGSCO section highlights the number of referrals made to the Ombudsman, the proportion investigated, and the upheld rate, comparing Bromley's performance to the London average. The report noted a significant increase in overall complaints received by the council compared to the previous year, with a rise in the proportion of complaints being upheld. The financial consequences of upheld complaints also saw an increase. The report indicated that the council maintained a 100% compliance rate in implementing recommendations from the Ombudsman.

Feedback on the 2026 Local Council Elections and Update on the Representation of the People Bill

This item was scheduled to provide feedback on the local council elections held on 7 May 2026. The report detailed the changes implemented since the 2022 elections, including the introduction of voter ID requirements, online postal vote applications, and new postal vote handling regulations. It also covered the nominations and candidates for the election, the process of registering to vote, and the polling station arrangements. The report highlighted challenges in recruiting and retaining temporary election staff, as well as issues with the delivery of poll cards and postal vote packs by Royal Mail. The count process, including the use of Kangaroo Boards for tallying votes in multi-member wards, was also discussed. The report noted a significant increase in the borough's turnout compared to the previous local elections, placing Bromley second highest across London. Additionally, the item was to provide an update on the Representation of the People Bill 2026, outlining proposed changes to electoral law, such as lowering the voting age to 16, enabling automated registration, and expanding accepted forms of voter ID.

Member Induction Programme 2026 - Review

The committee was scheduled to review the Member Induction Programme that was put in place following the local elections in May 2026. The report summarised the various induction activities and events offered to new and returning councillors, including sessions on standards, planning and licensing, departmental overviews, and council finance. Attendance figures for these sessions were provided. The report also detailed the feedback received from councillors on the induction programme, which was generally positive, with suggestions for improvements such as spreading sessions over a longer period and better identification of officers at marketplace events. The report also referenced the Local Government Association's Peer Review recommendation to strengthen the member development offer and outlined the agreed actions in the associated Action Plan, including the implementation of an enhanced Member Development Programme with structured induction, role-specific training pathways, and monitoring of development activity.

Appointment of Honorary Aldermen

This agenda item was to consider recommendations for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen. The report outlined the criteria for appointment, which included serving a minimum of 12 years as a councillor and rendering eminent or notable service. It also detailed the process for nomination and appointment, which requires a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of members voting at a special council meeting. The report noted that a total of 42 former councillors had previously been appointed as Honorary Aldermen. An informal cross-party meeting had been held to identify potential candidates, whose names were to be released following the committee's confirmation of support.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The committee was scheduled to discuss appointments to various outside bodies and partnerships. This report provided updates on issues raised at the previous meeting, including a clarification from the Bromley Town Twinning Association regarding the number of councillor representatives required. The committee was asked to reduce its formal representation on this association from three to two members. Additionally, the report addressed the need to appoint a representative to Nash College, as the previously appointed councillor had to withdraw. A vacancy for Cray Valley War Memorial Hall was also to be filled. The report also provided an update on the Clarion Housing Group's review of its scrutiny arrangements and noted that an answer was awaited regarding the Mentoring Steering Group.

Routine Constitution Updates

This item was to inform the committee of routine updates made to the Council's Constitution by the Director of Corporate Services and Governance under delegated powers. The report summarised changes affecting Chapters 3, 4, and 6 of the Constitution. These included updates to the executive portfolios, reflecting that council property responsibilities now fall under the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio. Terms of reference for relevant PDS committees were also updated. Furthermore, changes were reported regarding the dissolution of the Human Resources, Customer Services and Public Affairs Department, with its functions being reallocated to other departments.

Work Programme and Matters Outstanding

This report outlined the committee's work programme for the 2026/27 council year and addressed matters outstanding from previous meetings. The report detailed the committee's terms of reference and the schedule of meetings for the year, along with anticipated reports. It also covered the role of the committee's sub-committees, including the Appeals Sub-Committee, Licensing Sub-Committee, and Rights of Way Sub-Committee. The report recommended the re-appointment of the Constitution Working Group and sought nominations for its membership. Matters outstanding from previous meetings included a request for a further report on the live-streaming of committee meetings and allowing residents to ask questions online, which was to be considered further.

Licensing Sub-Committee Minutes

The committee was presented with the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held on 24 June, 9 July, and 30 July 2026.

The minutes from 24 June 2026 detailed two applications:

• Review of the Premises Licence for Smoque, 2-4 Ringers Road, Bromley, BR1 1HT: The application for a review was based on the identification of illegal workers at the premises on multiple occasions. The Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Team presented evidence of repeated non-compliance with immigration and employment law. The Licensing Authority supported the review, stating that the continued operation undermined the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective. The Premises Licence Holder's representative argued that responsibility lay with the tenants and that steps were being taken to regain control of the premises and ensure compliance. Despite these assurances, the Sub-Committee concluded that the Premises Licence Holder had failed to manage the premises effectively and that there was clear evidence of crime and disorder. The Sub-Committee resolved to revoke the Premises Licence.
• Application to vary the Premises Licence for J.C. Two, St Mary Cray Post Office, 5-7 Mountfield Way, Orpington, BR5 3NR: The application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption. Local residents objected, citing concerns about increased late-night noise, disturbance, and potential for anti-social behaviour in a residential area. The applicant's agent stated that the Premises Licence Holder had a good reputation and that measures were in place to promote licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee granted the application, extending opening hours and alcohol sales to 23:00 hours daily, subject to several additional conditions, including the installation of a CCTV system, the adoption of a 'challenge 25' scheme, staff training, maintenance of an incident register and refusals log, and restrictions on the sale of high-strength beer and cider.

The minutes from 9 July 2026 detailed one application:

• Variation to the Premises Licence for Cray Express Ltd, 61 High Street, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3NJ: The application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption. Local residents objected, expressing concerns about public nuisance, community safety, and the impact on the local area if multiple shops extended their hours. The applicant's representative stated that the premises was a small business, that the applicant had agreed to reduce operating hours and comply with police conditions, and that there was a good relationship with residents. The Sub-Committee granted the application, extending opening hours and alcohol sales to 22:30 hours daily, subject to several additional conditions, including CCTV installation, 'challenge 25' scheme, staff training, maintenance of incident and refusal logs, and restrictions on deliveries and waste disposal.

The minutes from 30 July 2026 detailed one application:

• Application for two Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for Pierluigi's, 86-90 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1ED: The applicant sought to extend licensable hours on two weekends in August. The applicant's representative referred to previous court decisions and argued that public nuisance required widespread impact, not just private nuisance affecting a single resident. The Environmental Health Officer (EHO) raised concerns about the prevention of public nuisance and crime, citing an existing abatement notice and recent breaches. The EHO noted that despite mitigation measures, excessive noise had been identified by professional officers and a noise nuisance professional. The Sub-Committee, considering that the evidence was not sufficient to establish likely unacceptable public nuisance and noting no objection from the police, resolved to grant the TENs, subject to existing licence conditions and undertakings to comply with additional conditions imposed by the Magistrates' Court.

The meeting also included an item regarding an application for a Temporary Event Notice for Pierluigi's, which was heard by the Licensing Sub-Committee.