The Licensing Committee of Bexley Council met on Tuesday 20 January 2026 to discuss a range of licensing matters. The agenda included a review of licences determined under delegated powers, proposed changes to fees and charges for various services, and an update on licensing and trading standards enforcement activities.

Licences Determined Under Delegated Powers and Appeal Activity

The committee was scheduled to receive a report detailing licences granted under the Licensing Act 2003 by the Deputy Director, Strategic Planning & Housing between 1 October 2025 and 31 December 2025. This report was to include new premises licences and variations to existing licences, as well as any decisions made under delegated powers to refuse or revoke licences under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. The report was also to provide an update on any appeal activity related to the Licensing Act 2003 during the same period.

The report indicated that four new premises licences were granted, including for KFC Welling, Bubble & Squeak Cafe, Kesar II Punjabi Restaurant, and Sidcup Storyteller Cinema. Five full variations to existing licences were also granted, affecting premises such as Royal Mini Mart, Shell Bellegrove, Broadway Service Station, The Halfway House, and Erith Road Off Licence. Additionally, ten minor variations to premises licences and club premises certificates were determined. The report also noted that thirty applications to change the name of a designated premises supervisor and seventeen applications to transfer premises licences were granted under delegated powers. No licensing appeals were currently being faced by the council, and no licences had been revoked or applications refused under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

Fees and Charges

The committee was scheduled to consider proposals for setting fees and charges for licences within its remit. This included a recommendation to increase discretionary fees and charges by 4.3% from 1 April 2026, in line with the Council's Charging Policy and the Mid Term Financial Strategy. The report outlined proposed fees for various licences, including those related to the Fire Safety and Places of Sport Act 1987, the GLC (General Powers) Act 1984, the Hypnotism Act 1952, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, the London Local Authorities Act 1991, the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, and the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. Statutory fees, which are set by Central Government, were also listed, with a note that there had been lobbying for these to be set locally, but the government had decided against this. The budgeted income from licensing fees for 2025/26 was £322,000, with a projected income of £336,000 for 2026/27, reflecting the proposed fee increases.

Fees and Charges - Environmental Services and Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure Services

This item focused on setting fees and charges for Street Trading and Highways licences. The recommendation was to increase discretionary fees and charges, incorporating a variable percentage uplift in line with the Council's Charging Policy and the Medium Term Financial Strategy. Specific proposals included a 14.04% increase for skip licences and a 23.97% increase for scaffolding licences, following a benchmarking review that identified lower fees compared to comparable authorities. Shop frontage display fees were also to be rounded up.

The report noted that the budgeted level of street trading income for 2025/26 was £0.215m, with a projected underachievement of £0.009m. The expected budget for 2026/27 was £0.224m. The report also referenced a previous decision on 21 October 2025 to grant six-monthly event licences to Bexleyheath BID at a fixed fee of £10,000, allowing the BID to manage temporary traders and deliver markets and community events. This arrangement was expected to be in place by 1 April 2026. Fees for Skip and Building Licences, Scaffold Licences, Crane Licences, Advertisement (A ) Boards, and Street Works Licences were detailed, with proposed increases for most.

Licensing and Trading Standards Enforcement Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on recent enforcement activity. The report indicated that there had been no significant issues reported in the months leading up to Christmas, with Bexley Village becoming particularly popular. The report mentioned that usual pre-Christmas PubSafe meetings were held, with advice on preventing drink spiking and violence reiterated. A primary concern for independent venues was their financial viability. The report also noted a serious incident involving a double shooting, but stated that the venue involved had been thoroughly investigated with no licensing issues identified. Police patrols were increased in Bexleyheath as a reassurance measure.

In relation to Trading Standards, there were no reports of underage alcohol sales. Visits to licensed premises for fireworks were conducted with no major problems found. Routine inspections of animal-related premises identified only minor issues. Visits and licensing of special treatment premises continued, with efforts to encourage unregistered premises to comply. Scrap metal renewals were being processed, involving site visits. Future licensing trends concerning vapes and tobacco were being addressed through advice and guidance to retailers. A closure order had been requested for an illicit tobacco premises in Sidcup. Test purchasing of vapes, tobacco, and alcohol throughout the borough found no instances of sales to underage individuals. Trading Standards continued to seize Labubu dolls due to toy safety concerns.