The Licensing Committee of Bexley Council met on Monday 31 March 2025 to discuss the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy and receive an update on licensing enforcement activities. The committee agreed to proceed with consultation on the new Statement of Licensing Policy, which will cover the period from January 2026 to January 2031.

Licensing Act 2003 - Statement of Licensing Policy

The committee considered a draft Statement of Licensing Policy for the five-year period from 7 January 2026 to 6 January 2031. This policy is required under the Licensing Act 2003¹ and will replace the current policy, which expires on 6 January 2026. The draft policy includes proposed changes such as a new section on drink spiking awareness and mitigations for noise disturbance from late-night deliveries. It also proposes the removal of references to Police Form 696² and the inclusion of information on temporary event notices.

Councillor Mrs June Slaughter, Chairman of the Licensing Committee, noted that the current statutory process for publicising licensing applications, which involves displaying notices at venues and in local newspapers, is outdated. While lobbying the government for change has not yet yielded results, residents can register for the council's public access system to receive alerts about applications in their local area.

Concerns were raised about noise and congregating issues caused by delivery drivers. Sharon Bamborough, Head of Licensing Partnership, indicated that the new policy provisions regarding deliveries would strengthen the council's negotiating position when setting licence conditions, potentially including stipulations on the behaviour of third-party delivery drivers. However, complaints about delivery drivers congregating in areas not linked to a specific premises would remain a matter for the police.

The committee resolved to agree the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy for consultation purposes and authorised the consultation process as outlined in the report. The consultation period is scheduled to run from mid-April to mid-June 2025, with feedback to be considered by the committee in July 2025 before a final draft is presented to the full council for approval later in the year.

Licensing Enforcement Update

The committee received an update on recent enforcement activities undertaken by Trading Standards. No reports of underage alcohol sales were received during the period, meaning no proactive action was deemed necessary in this area.

Regarding fireworks, there was nothing to report. In relation to animal licensing, a team member is accompanying vets on routine licensing visits to gain experience, and the service continues to receive reports of unlicensed animal breeders. Visits and licensing for special treatment premises have continued, with efforts made to encourage unlicensed premises to comply with the law.

Following a day of action at the Darent Industrial Park, numerous problems were identified concerning scrap metal dealers, which are now being addressed.

Looking ahead, officers are continuing enforcement action against premises selling illicit vape and tobacco products. A ban on single-use vapes is due to come into effect on 1 June, and officers plan to begin checks one month after the ban's implementation, noting that the disposal of these vapes is expensive. The report was noted by the committee.

Approved Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee

The committee received a report providing brief details of four Licensing Sub-Committee hearings where minutes had been approved and signed off. These included:

• Morley’s Take Away, 33A Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4QU: Application for the grant of a Premises Licence, which was refused on 5 December 2024.
• Asda, 19-21 Blackfen Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 8QD: Application for the grant of a Premises Licence, which was granted subject to conditions on 15 January 2025.
• GB News, 134 Erith Road, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 6BU: Application for the variation of a Premises Licence, which was granted subject to conditions on 23 January 2025.
• Private Shop, 14 Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1LU: Application for the renewal of a Sex Establishment Licence, which was granted on 23 January 2025.

The report also noted that minutes for a further hearing, a review of the Premises Licence for Greek Meze 2, 299 Main Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6QL, were pending sign-off.

Licences Determined under Delegated Powers and Appeal Activity

The committee received a report summarising licences granted under the Licensing Act 2003³ by the Deputy Director, Strategic Planning and Housing under delegated powers between 1 January and 28 February 2025. This included two new premises licences:

• Lounge at 77 Broadway, Bexleyheath, DA6 7JN, granted on 2 January 2025. This premises is described as a food-led cafe bar with alcohol sales and late-night refreshment.
• Pickford Premier at 1 Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath, DA7 4RD, granted on 13 January 2025. This is a shop for off-sale of alcohol.

The report also detailed two minor variations to existing licences:

• Studio 167 at 167 Broadway, Bexleyheath, DA6 7ES, granted on 3 February 2025. This involved a change of layout and the addition of conditions, including requirements for door supervisors, a clubscan system, and a ban on 18th birthday parties.
• The Travellers Home Public House at Long Lane, Bexleyheath, DA7 5AR, granted on 17 February 2025. This involved a change of layout and amendments to conditions regarding toughened glass and irresponsible drinks promotions.

Additionally, eleven applications to change the name of a designated premises supervisor and two applications to transfer a premises licence were granted under delegated powers during the same period. There were no full variations of premises licences granted under delegated authority. The report also noted two appeals lodged by Mr Martin Smith concerning Arcadia Lounge Bar and Club, which are scheduled to be heard in June 2025. No licences were refused or revoked under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013⁴ during this period.