The Licensing and Gambling Committee of Caerphilly Council was scheduled to meet on 15 September 2025, to discuss a review of the Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003¹. The aim of the review is to ensure the policy remains effective and up-to-date. The report pack includes the agenda, the report, and several appendices containing consultation responses and the proposed revised policy.

Licensing Act 2003 – Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

The main item for discussion was the review of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as required by the Licensing Act 2003. The current policy was approved in January 2021, and the council is required to review it every five years. The revised policy is scheduled to be presented to the council on 11 November 2025, with the aim of implementing the new policy on 1 January 2026.

As part of the review, the council consulted with responsible authorities, including:

• Gwent Police
• The local health board
• The fire authority
• The child protection officer
• Environmental health
• Trading standards
• Planning

All existing premises licence holders and club premises certificate holders were notified of the consultation. Residents, businesses, elected members, and community councils were also invited to comment via the council's website.

The proposed changes to the Statement of Licensing Policy include:

• An update on alcohol harm provided by Public Health.
• Updated reference to licensing hours.
• Promoting Personal Safety / Promotion of Safe Space / Ask for Angela schemes.
• An update to the role of the Home Office as a Responsible Authority.
• Reference to participation in Pubwatch schemes.
• Reference to expectations of applicants / licence holders in respect of Martyn's Law².
• Updated reference to the Designated Premises Supervisor.
• Updated reference to alcohol delivery.
• Reference to shadow licences.
• Reference to large scale events.
• An update in respect of annual fees.

The report pack includes a summary of the comments received during the consultation period. Of the 14 responses, 5 came from responsible authorities, 4 from elected members, 4 from licence holders, and 1 from the third sector. All 11 responses made via the online consultation page indicated that the proposed changes would assist the authority in protecting public safety, preventing public nuisance, protecting children from harm, and preventing crime and disorder.

One responder suggested that gambling premises should have blacked-out windows, but this was considered outside the scope of the policy review.

The report pack notes that the UK government is considering the effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003, and that changes to the council's Statement of Licensing Policy may be required following the implementation of Martyn's Law.

The report pack recommended that the committee consider and offer any comment to the council on the revised Statement of Licensing Policy, prior to submission to Full Council on 11 November 2025, with a view to implementing a new policy to be effective 1 January 2026.