The Licensing Committee for Camden Council was scheduled to meet on 24 November 2025, to discuss the Late Night Levy, and disabled access to licensed premises and events. The meeting was also scheduled to include updates on work that had been undertaken by officers, and to allow committee members to share their comments.

Late Night Levy

The committee was scheduled to discuss the findings of an independent review of Camden's Late Night Levy (LNL). The LNL, introduced under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, allows licensing authorities to collect a financial contribution from premises licensed to sell alcohol between midnight and 6am. The council commissioned SixTillSix Ltd and MAKE Associates to conduct the review, in line with a manifesto commitment to review the LNL.

The report presented the findings of the independent review, and outlined options for the future of the LNL scheme. The report stated that the objectives of the Levy were to:

• Reducing crime and disorder in the night-time economy (NTE).
• Promoting public safety.
• Ensuring businesses benefitting from late-night trade contribute fairly towards the costs of managing associated impacts.

The report noted that 70% of Levy revenue is allocated to the Metropolitan Police, with the remaining 30% retained by the council. The 30% retained by the council is spent solely for the provision of six Uri-lift pop-up toilets at various locations in the borough.

The review identified several key issues:

• Transparency and oversight: Stakeholders reported limited awareness of how Levy funds are spent.
• Impact on businesses: Mixed views were expressed, with some seeing benefits in visible policing, while others considered the Levy delivered little value relative to its cost.
• Impact on residents: Feedback was mixed, with some valuing the police presence, while others questioned whether the Levy addressed wider community concerns.
• Impact on policing: The Levy funds around 72 hours of high visibility policing each week, primarily in Camden Town.
• Fairness and equity: Concerns were raised that benefits of the Levy are concentrated in Camden Town while other areas see limited impact.

The review presented three possible options:

• a) Retain the Levy with significant reforms
• b) Retain the Levy in current form
• c) Remove the Levy

Option A, retaining the Levy with significant reforms, was the recommended option. This option would maintain the dedicated policing resource, improve transparency, strengthen business and community engagement, extend fairness by broadening the contribution base to include late-night refreshment premises, and align levy spending with Camden's Night-Time Economy Strategy.

The Licensing Committee was asked to note the findings of the independent review of Camden's Late-Night Levy and agree to proceed to a statutory 6-week consultation on the recommended option.

Improving Disabled Access in Licensed Premises and Events

The Licensing Committee was also scheduled to receive an update on work to improve disabled access in licensed premises and events.

At a meeting in July 2025, the Licensing Committee heard from Attitude is Everything¹ and discussed a report on Improving Disabled Access in Licensed Premises and Events . Accessibility within licensed venues is directly relevant to the Licensing Committee, particularly in ensuring that premises operate in a manner consistent with the Council's statutory duties and policy objectives under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Equality Act 2010.

The report provided an interim update on the work undertaken by officers and invited members to share reflections and comments on this work and identify areas the Committee would like to focus on as this work progresses.

The report noted that Camden Council is committed to ensuring its licensed venues and nighttime economy is safe, inclusive and welcoming for everyone, and recognises that accessibility in licensed venues is an essential part of this ambition.

The Council has embedded good practice into its licensing approach regarding disability access, including:

• Pre-application advice that promotes accessible design
• Collaboration with planning/ building control to meet access standards.
• Consultation with disabled residents and organisations.
• Accessibility consideration in Event Management Plans for large events.

Ongoing and future work will focus on establishing and promoting:

• Accessibility guidance and checklist for venues
• Training and capacity building for staff in licensed venues
• Partnership and community engagement.
• Enforcement and monitoring to ensure compliance.

Officers committed to meet with representatives from Attitude is Everything and explore options to create a bespoke accessibility pledge for Camden venues.

At the request of the Chair of Licensing Committee, Councillor Jonathan Simpson MBE, a site visit was arranged for Committee members to see an example of best practice in the Borough, at The Roundhouse.

Officers are also in the process of organising a site visit to The O2 arena in Greenwich, which has been awarded Platinum status by the Attitude is Everything Live Events Access Charter.

The Licensing Committee was asked to note and comment on the report, and provide comments on the areas the committee would find most valuable for future accessibility work and site visits to see examples of best practice.