Issue - meetings

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee recommends a final version of the Statement of Licensing Policy for adoption by Full Council on 14 October 2025.

The Licensing Act 2003 places a duty on the Licensing Authority to determine and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy every five years. The current Statement of Licensing Policy is valid until November 2025.

Following two periods of public consultation, agreed by members of the Licensing Committee and undertaken in accordance with Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Committee on behalf of the Licensing Authority must now consider all responses received in respect of the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy and decide after considering the responses what amendments should be made to the draft policy.

As part of the process the Licensing Committee must provide reasons of why they decide to include or exclude any consultation response as they make their decision.

The Licensing and Trading Standards Manger presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix A to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Members were advised that the Licensing Act 2003 placed a duty on the Licensing Authority to determine and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy every five years. The current Statement of Licensing Policy was valid until November 2025

Following two periods of public consultation, agreed by members of the Licensing Committee and undertaken in accordance with Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Committee on behalf of the Licensing Authority, was asked to consider all responses received in respect of the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy and decide what amendments should be made to the draft policy.

The committee discussed the Statement of Licensing Policy, which served as guidance for new applicants and informed committee decision-making.

It outlined expectations for operating schedules and suggested conditions for licensed premises.

The Committee noted that:

• The policy was scheduled for approval by Full Council in October, subject to final confirmation.
• The policy was not fixed and could be deviated from if justified.
• Changes in legislation or significant flaws could prompt earlier review, even though the formal review period was every five years.
• The policy was considered a live document, adaptable to evolving circumstances.

Councillor Filer referred to the response of Bournemouth Town Pastors at section 21.2 of the draft policy and proposed that the Committee send a letter to extend its sincere thanks and appreciation for the invaluable voluntary work carried out in and around Bournemouth town centre on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. The Committee agreed and the Clerk undertook to draft a letter on behalf of the Chair.

Members were asked to consider each of the responses received, as set out in Appendix 3, and to determine for each whether to accept the comment and amend the policy accordingly, or disregard the comment and exclude it from the policy.

Following consideration of all comments, the Committee agreed that each one should be accepted and that the policy should be amended accordingly.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee recommends a final version of the Statement of Licensing Policy for adoption by Full Council on 14 October 2025.