The Licensing Committee of Doncaster Council was scheduled to meet on Friday, 26th September 2025, to discuss a new Statement of Licensing Policy. The main item for discussion was the Statement of Licensing Policy 2026, which the committee was asked to consider and recommend for adoption by the full council. The meeting was also scheduled to confirm the minutes of a prior meeting.

Statement of Licensing Policy 2026

The Licensing Committee was scheduled to consider the reviewed Statement of Licensing Policy 2026 – Licensing Act 2003, following its five-yearly review. The report pack recommended that the committee approve the policy and recommend it to the full council for adoption.

The Licensing Act 2003 requires City of Doncaster Council, as the licensing authority, to create and review a statement of licensing policy every five years. The policy sets out the principles the council uses to make licensing decisions related to:

• The sale or supply of alcohol
• Regulated entertainment
• Late night refreshment

The report pack states that this is the council's sixth statement of policy, which will inform all relevant licensing decisions over the next five years. The policy addresses the four licensing objectives outlined in the act:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

The policy outlines the steps applicants need to take to address these objectives and how the licensing committee will conduct hearings for unresolved applications. According to the report pack, committee members and any sub-committee members need to have detailed knowledge of the policy and its implications for applicants. All decisions made by the committees must explain how the decisions were reached and how the relevant parts of the policy were used.

The revised policy was drafted considering the latest Home Office Section 182 guidance and responses from a consultation with relevant parties. The Public reports pack includes a summary of amendments, the revised policy, and the route to adoption as appendices.

Three responses were received during the consultation, which are summarised in Appendix A - consultation responses:

1. The Planning Department of City of Doncaster Council suggested amendments to the policy regarding planning permission to provide clarity and update the wording, as well as including the website address where applicants can check if they require planning permission. The wording of paragraphs 6.2 and 6.3 was amended, and Annex 1 was updated to include a link to the relevant webpage.
2. The Doncaster Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP) supported the revised policy, requiring no action. The Doncaster Safeguarding Children Partnership is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in Doncaster.
3. Bawtry Town Council supported the revised policy but suggested amendments to the cumulative impact area in place for Bawtry. They were advised that comments on the council's cumulative impact policy would be welcomed during the consultation period towards the end of 2025.

The report pack states that the licensing authority is required to produce a statement of licensing policy and review it at least every five years, considering the latest guidance and consultation responses. Failure to adopt or review the policy would create a risk by exposing the council to legal and financial liability, preventing it from fulfilling its duties under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Statement of Licensing Policy 2026 includes the following sections:

• Purpose of the Policy
• The Doncaster District
• Integrating other Guidance, Policies, Objectives and Strategies
• Promotion of the Licensing Objectives
• General Principles
• Applications for Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates
• Cumulative Impact
• Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO)
• Late Night Levy
• Personal Licences
• Temporary Event Notices (TENs)
• Enforcement and Reviews
• Administration, Exercise and Delegation of Functions

The document also includes annexes with further reading, useful information, and a cumulative impact assessment.

Minutes of the Licensing Committee Meeting on 18th June 2025

The committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 18th June 2025.