Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Hilliard and A Filer.

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications.

There were no substitute members.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Committee meetings held on 18 September and 22 October 2025 and the Licensing Sub Committees held on 10, 16 and 24 September, 2 and 30 October  and 12 November 2025.

Note: The exempt section of the minutes where relevant will also be appended as restricted documents.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee meetings held on 18 September and 22 October 2025, and the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 10, 16 and 24 September, 2 and 30 October and 12 November 2025 be signed by the Chair as an accurate record.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution, which is available to view at the following link:

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of a public question is midday on Friday 5 December 2025 [midday 3 clear working days before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday on Wednesday 10 December 2025 [midday the working day before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Thursday 27 November 2025 [10 working days before the meeting].

There were no public questions, statements, or petitions for this meeting.

The current regime and processing of pleasure boat and boatperson licensing currently operate without the guidance of an established policy framework.

The introduction of this draft policy as presented aims to provide a clear, consistent, and transparent basis for the assessment and determination of future applications. This will support decision-making, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote public confidence in the licensing process.

The Licensing Officer 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.

The Committee was advised that the current system for pleasure boat and boatperson licensing operated without a formal policy framework. The proposed draft policy sought to establish a clear, consistent, and transparent basis for assessing and determining future applications. It aimed to support informed decision-making, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance public confidence in the licensing process. This would be the first Pleasure Boat and Boatpersons Policy for BCP Council.

The draft policy would go out to public consultation. Following the conclusion of the consultation, all responses would be collated and presented to the Licensing Committee for consideration and determination of the final policy.

Committee members considered the draft policy, and made no recommendations. The Committee thanked the Licensing Officer for a clear and concise report.

RESOLVED that the draft Pleasure Boat and Boatperson Policy be agreed as presented and released for public consultation for a period of 6 weeks in early 2026.

To consider, amend as required and agree the Forward Plan.

The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager took members through the Committee’s Forward Plan, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The following updates were provided:

• The Pleasure Boats and Boatpersons Licensing Policy - Following informal consultation with stakeholders, a revised draft policy had been considered by the Licensing Committee on 11 December 2025. Public consultation was anticipated to commence on 5 February 2026. The results of the consultation would be presented to the Licensing Committee at a future meeting.
• Review of Licensing Fees – A review of the Council’s licensing fees would be considered by the Licensing Committee on 12 March and would need to go out to public consultation. This item had been deferred from 11 December 2025 following the Government’s 2025 Budget.

Committee Briefings and Training Sessions 2026

The National Licensing Policy Framework was published on 26 November 2025 alongside updated Section 182 guidance under the Licensing Act 2003. It set out strategic direction for licensing authorities and reflected a significant shift in the government’s stance on cumulative impact zones. The Committee agreed to cancel the planned Cumulative Impact Zone briefing (12 March 2025) and replace it with a briefing on the new framework. The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager would circulate updated Section 182 guidance to members via email after the meeting.

The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager informed the Committee of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The Bill would Introduce a future licensing regime similar to alcohol, including mandatory licences for individuals and premises, strong enforcement and penalties and public consultation before rollout

Local authorities would face increased responsibilities for licence administration, compliance checks, and prosecutions, creating significant resource pressures. A briefing session would take place in 2025 to keep Members informed.

The Committee was advised that the Government was moving toward national standards in England via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, aiming for consistent safety rules for drivers, vehicles, and operators. It was noted that this may result in changes to the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver, Vehicle and Operator Policies. The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager would provide an update following publication of the Bill.

Training Requests

Members asked to contact the Clerk with any future training needs for scheduling after upcoming meetings.

RESOLVED that the updates to the Forward Plan be approved.