Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which informed Members that the Council has to determine and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy every 5 years in order to meets its statutory obligations. The determination and publishing of such is required to be undertaken by January 2021. 

The purpose of the policy statement is to define how the responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003 are going to be exercised and administered.

To report on the consultation responses received on the Council’s draft Statement of Licensing Policy and seek agreement from members on amendments where necessary and to recommend adoption of the policy to full Council.

Alternatives considered:

None; it is a statutory duty for all Council’s to determine and publish its statement of Licensing Policy and there is no alternative option to this. 

Resolved:

1.    That Council be recommended to adopt the amended Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026.

Reasons for the decision:

Councils have a statutory duty to prepare and publish a statement of principles that they propose to apply in exercising their functions under the Licensing Act 2003. This is valid for a five year period and therefore the Council is require to review its policy statement every five years to meet its statutory requirements and adopt and publish a statement of Licensing Policy. The existing statement was effective from 31 January 2016.