Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bartlett and Matthews.

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.

To elect a chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2025/26.

RESOLVED that Councillor Flagg be elected as Chair of the Licensing Committee for the ensuing municipal year 2025/26.

To elect a vice chair of the Licensing Committee for the Municipal Year 2025/26.

RESOLVED that Councillor Keddie be elected as Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee for the ensuing municipal year 2025/26.

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 meeting held on 13 March 2025 and the Licensing Sub Committee meetings held on 19 March and 9 April 2025.

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

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 13 March 2025, and the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 19 March and 9 April 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 Thursday 8 May 2025 [midday 3 clear working days before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday on Tuesday 13 May 2025 [midday the working day before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 29 April 2025 [10 working days before the meeting].

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

To consider, amend as required and agree the Committee’s proposed Forward Plan.

The Licensing 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 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The following updates were provided:

• Review of the Statement of Licensing Policy – the final policy would now be considered by the Licensing Committee on 18 September 2025 as the licensing team had dealt with a high volume of reactive priority work over the past few months, which had led to the previous timetable becoming unachievable.

• The Pleasure Boats and Boatpersons Licensing Policy - Following informal consultation with stakeholders, the draft policy would now be considered by the Licensing Committee on 11 December 2025.
• Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Vehicle and Operator Policies – The Licensing Committee would consider the responses to the public consultation on the draft policies on 22 October 2025. This was an additional meeting to allow statutory time scales to be met.
• Review of Statement of Licensing Principles -Gambling Act 2005 – No guidance from the Gambling Commission had been received so this had not progressed.
• Council Responsibilities to Taxi Drivers - The Licensing Manager advised that a briefing note would be sent to all Committee Members instead of a report to committee.

Committee Briefings and Training Sessions 2025

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all training sessions had been completed. Members of the Committee were asked to contact the Clerk should they have any future training requirements or areas which they would like more information on, and this would be scheduled to take place following the the end of the September meeting.

RESOLVED that the amendments to the Forward Plan be noted.