The General Purposes and Licensing Committee meeting scheduled for 12 November 2025 was set to cover a range of important council business. Key discussions were expected to include the annual complaints report and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's findings, alongside the proposed teacher pay policy for the upcoming academic year. The committee was also scheduled to review arrangements for the 2026 local council elections and consider a draft induction programme for new councillors.

Annual Complaints Report and LGSCO Letter 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to review the Annual Complaints Report for 2024/25, which details the statistics on complaints received by the council. This report also provides an overview of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's (LGSCO) annual review letter and accompanying data sheets, summarising Ombudsman complaints and enquiries received by the London Borough of Bromley for the year ending 31 March 2025. The report indicated a statutory requirement for the council to produce this annual report. The recommendation was for members to note the report.

Teacher Pay Policy 2025/26 - Centrally Based Staff

A report was scheduled to outline the main changes to teachers' pay and conditions, effective from 1 September 2025, following the publication of the statutory 2025 School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document. The report recommended that members note and comment on the changes, which include a statutory 4% increase to all pay and allowance ranges and advisory points for teaching staff, including those on the Leadership Scales. Officers were to be authorised to apply this increase and update the Centrally Based Teaching Staff Pay Policy accordingly. The report noted that the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) had recommended this increase, which was accepted by the Secretary of State. The financial implications were estimated at £91,000 for 2025/26 and £155,000 for 2026/27, to be funded from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

2026 Local Council Elections - Proposed Arrangements

The committee was to be advised on the proposed key electoral arrangements for the Local Council Elections scheduled for Thursday 7 May 2026. The report highlighted significant changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, including requirements for voter ID, Voter Authority Certificates (VACs), online postal vote applications with identity verification, and a limit on postal vote arrangements to three years. It also noted changes to postal vote handling and the removal of the automatic right for EU citizens to vote, with exceptions for qualifying EU citizens and those with retained rights. The statutory timetable for the elections was also to be presented, with key dates including the publication of the notice of election by Monday 30 March 2026 and polling day on Thursday 7 May 2026. A briefing session for prospective candidates and agents was planned for Tuesday 10 March 2026.

Draft Member Induction Programme 2026

This report summarised initial plans for the Member Induction Programme following the May 2026 local elections. The plans, which were at an early stage, sought members' views on the proposed high-level approach. The programme was expected to be similar to that of 2022, with a focus on key issues and fewer PowerPoint sessions. It was proposed to include in-person sessions on essential topics such as decision-making, ethical standards, information security, planning, licensing, finance, and transformation. Market Place events for departments, informal training sessions at the start of PDS Committee meetings, and pre-recorded videos describing departmental roles were also planned. The report noted that attendance at mandatory training for Planning and Licensing Sub-Committee members would continue. IT equipment and support for councillors were also to be addressed.

Code of Corporate Governance - Review

An updated Code of Corporate Governance was presented for consideration, aligning with revised guidance issued in May 2025 by CIPFA and SOLACE. The previous version of the code dated from 2019. The report recommended that the committee refer the updated Code to full Council for adoption into the Council's Constitution. The updated Code aims to provide a richer reflection of Bromley's governance arrangements, making it a more useful document for the Annual Governance Statement. The seven core governance principles from the CIPFA/SOLACE guidance were outlined: integrity and ethical values, openness and stakeholder engagement, defining sustainable outcomes, determining necessary interventions, developing capacity, managing risks and performance, and implementing transparency, reporting, and audit for accountability.

Rights of Way Sub-Committee: Appointment

The committee was asked to consider the appointment of Councillor Alan Cook to the vacant seat on the Rights of Way Sub-Committee. This vacancy arose following the death of Councillor Jonathan Laidlaw and the election of Councillor Alan Cook, representing the Reform UK group. The appointment was to be made in accordance with the wishes of the Reform UK group and the council's proportionality rules. The Sub-Committee deals with non-executive rights of way issues, such as proposals to modify, divert, or upgrade public footpaths.

Work Programme and Matters Outstanding

This report provided a summary of the committee's work programme for the 2025/26 council year and outlined matters outstanding from previous meetings. Outstanding items included further work on revenue generation for room bookings at the new Civic Centre, which had not yielded sustainable proposals, and a query regarding the appointment of ex-councillors to the Bromley Town Twinning Association, for which no response had yet been received. Proposed changes to the work programme included the cancellation of the September and April meetings unless time-critical business arose, and a trial to move outside body appointments to the special meeting after the annual Council meeting. An update on staff health and safety at the new Civic Centre was also provided.

Licensing Sub-Committee Minutes

The committee was scheduled to receive minutes from various Licensing Sub-Committee meetings. These included:

• 23 June 2025: An application to vary the premises licence at LA Sports Club, St Dunstan's Lane, Beckenham, BR3 3SS, concerning extended hours for the sale of alcohol and the removal of certain conditions. Objections from local residents focused on concerns about increased traffic, noise, and public nuisance. The Sub-Committee decided to grant the application with extended hours and additional conditions.
• 4 August 2025: An application for two Temporary Events Notices (TENs) for Pierluigi's, 86-90 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1ED, for 9th and 16th August 2025, seeking extended hours for licensable activities. The Sub-Committee decided to grant the application.
• 12 August 2025: An application for a new premises licence at Pierluigi's Pasta Fresca, 86-90 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1ED. This involved a Part 2 section concerning an ongoing police investigation, leading to proceedings being transferred to a closed session to view relevant videos and evidence. The Sub-Committee ultimately decided to REFUSE the application, citing concerns about public nuisance, lack of responsible management, and a combative attitude towards responsible authorities.
• 5 September 2025: An application for a Temporary Event Notice for Pierluigi's, 86-90 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1ED, for 6th/7th September 2025. The Sub-Committee disallowed the submission of late information from the Applicant due to its late service and lack of opportunity for a response. Following submissions from the Environmental Health Officer and the Applicant's solicitor, the Sub-Committee issued a counter-notice to the proposed Temporary Events Notice, upholding the Environmental Health Service's objection due to concerns about noise nuisance.