Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which sought approval to undertake public consultation to the production of a revised Licensing Act policy statement (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Licensing Act 2003 which creates the regulatory regime for the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late-night refreshment, requires that licensing authorities prepare and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy (a ‘licensing policy) every five years. Durham adopted its current licensing policy on 23rd October 2019 and therefore a new policy must be adopted and published no later than 22nd October 2024.

It was explained that there was also a statutory requirement that a consultation exercise must take place prior to a new policy being adopted and it was therefore proposed that this would take place between February and April 2024.

Resolved:

That the Committee approves and authorises the commencement of the statutory consultation process relating to the consideration and adoption of a new licensing policy.