BRIGHTON & HOVE CITY COUNCIL
Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Functions)
3.00pm 24 July 2025
Council
Chamber, Hove Town Hall,
Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ - HTH/CC
decision list
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Part One |
31 STATEMENTS OF LICENSING POLICY
Contact Officer: Sarah Cornell Tel: 01273 295801
Ward Affected: All Wards
Resolved: To authorise officers to initiate consultation regarding a review of the Statement of Licensing Policy, including the following proposals to consult on (Please note, more detail and background on these proposals is contained in section 3 and the appendices of this report):
2.1 Replace the current Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) with a City Safety Area (CSA).
2.2 Retain the current Special Stress Area (SSA) and other areas. (detailed at 3.3 of the draft SoLP)
2.3 A focus on safety as the central priority and introduction of new set of best practice measures for the CSA and SSA.
2.3 Update the current Matrix approach and table to include new categories of premises including Grassroots Music Venues and changes to the hours for some types of premises.
2.4 Introduce a ‘Good Operator Policy’.
2.5 Update out of date/irrelevant data, legislation and text, update nighttime
economy safeguarding initiatives. Add in sections on LGBTQ+ venues and inclusivity, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Modern Slavery and Martyn’s Law.
32 FUTURE LICENSING PANEL HEARING ARRANGEMENTS - JUNE 25
Resolved:
2.1. That the committee’s terms of reference, as set out in Appendix A to this
report, be noted.
2.2. That the Committee establish the Licensing Panel as a sub-committee (the membership of such Licensing Panel shall consist of three Members from the trained Members on the Licensing Committee, who will be able to sit on a panel and substitute for any designated Member of the Panel) to deal with licensing applications in accordance with the Terms of Reference are set out at Appendix A to this report.
2.3. That the Committee agree to disapply the proportionality rules so far as a Licensing Panel is concerned in accordance with the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990;
2.4. That the establishment of an Urgency Sub-Committee consisting of the
Chair of the Committee and two other Members (nominated in accordance with the scheme for the allocation of seats for committees), to exercise its powers in relation to matters of urgency, on which it is necessary to make a decision before the next ordinary meeting of the Committee be approved.
2.5. That Committee notes the benefits of holding virtual meetings in terms of enabling greater participation in the Licensing process, and efficient use of resources, and resolves that Licensing Panels continue to meet virtually until June 2026. This does not preclude holding a panel hearing in person where the individual circumstances of an application may warrant it.
2.6. That Committee delegates authority to the Director of Law and
Governance, after consultation with the Chair and deputy to determine
arrangements for Licensing Panel hearings if any changes are required
before the next available Licensing Committee.
2.7. That the Committee recommends that in exercising this authority the above officer takes into account all relevant factors including latest public health and government guidance, the situation with other council meetings and the need to ensure fair and transparent procedures in accordance with the Hearings Regulations 2005.