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
MINUTES
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Present: Councillors McGregor (Chair), Cattell (Deputy Chair), Davis, Helliwell, Hewitt, Lyons, Nann, Parrott, Pickett, Sheard, Sykes and Thomson
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Apologies: Councillors Bagaeen, Czolak and Galvin |
PART ONE
25 Procedural Business
(a) Declarations of Substitutes
25.1 There were no declarations of substitutes.
(b) Declarations of Interest
25.2 There were no declarations of interests in matters listed on the agenda.
(c) Exclusion of Press and Public
25.3 The Committee considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of any of the items listed on the agenda.
25.4 RESOLVED: That the press and public not be excluded from the meeting as there no items contained in part two of the agenda.
26 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Functions) meeting held on 6 February 2025 were agreed.
27 Chair's Communications
27.1 The Chair considered the night time economy to be very important and it should grow to be bigger, better and the statement of licensing policy report to be discussed today supports that. The city is struggling and there are dangers at night. The small changes proposed will have a big impact, making customers in venues safe. It is important that horrible things don’t happen. Thanks to the consultation groups and everyone in the council.
28 Callover
28.1 The Democratic Services officer invited the committee to state if they wished to discuss the reports on the agenda. Items 31 and 32 were both called for discussion.
29 Public Involvement
29.1 There was none for this meeting.
30 Member Involvement
30.1 There was none for this meeting.
31 Statement of Licensing Policy
31.1 The Licensing & Enforcement Manager introduced the report to the committee.
Answers to Committee Member Questions
31.2 Councillor Sykes was informed that the data in the report regarding alcohol deaths was provided by Sussex Police. The cost of appealing a licensing refusal is being looked at, with a preference to increase the cost. Venues are working hard to be safe; however, street drinking is an issue. Night Marshalls and Safe Spaces will continue. It is not seen that there will be more pressure on these services. Café drinking is considered easier to control.
31.3 Councillor Parrott was informed that the presumption to refuse is still in place. The statement of policy report is to raise the bar. The sexual assault figures are abhorrent. Customers are safer in venues. The ‘White Ribbon’ scheme will not be policy; however, it could be part of ‘best practice’. ID should be checked by takeaway delivery app drivers.
31.4 Councillor Hewitt was informed that the public engagement will last ten weeks and include city wide groups and LGBTQ+ discussions.
31.5 Councillor Thomson was informed that residents will still be able to object to applications. Vulnerable persons will continue to be protected. Negotiations for more night time buses and Thameslink are to be held. St Paul’s church will still be open as a safe space. The licensing matrix allows the opening of new venues; however, favouritism will be given to existing venues when applying for licenses. Education should include ‘spiking’ of drinks.
31.6 Councillor Nann was informed that more education around alcohol would be welcomed. Eating as well as drinking should be encouraged. The university of Sussex has been included in the consultation process.
31.7 Councillor Cattell was informed that a 6-month review of policy would be welcomed.
31.8 Councillor Davis was informed that the underage drinking was an issue, and getting people into venues would help. The Glasgow 10am to 10pm policy is not possible in Brighton and Hove. The presumption is to make off sales as difficult as possible. A diverse culture will be promoted under the changes. A review would be welcomed.
31.9 Councillor Pickett was informed that a conversation regarding restricting the number of licenses was ongoing. The new City Safety Area (CSA) would be larger than the existing Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). The policies will favour food venues. It is not possible to restrict alcohol delivery by takeaway delivery apps.
31.10 Councillor Sheard was informed that the male assaults were being looked at as well as female. Support groups are being consulted.
Vote
31.11 A vote was held, any by 8 to 3 abstentions, the committee agreed the recommendations.
31.12 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 the 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.
2.3a 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 night time 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
32.1 The Licensing Committee lawyer introduced the report to the committee.
Answers to Committee Member Questions
32.2 There were no questions
Vote
32.3 A vote was held, and the committee agreed the recommendations unanimously.
32.4 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.
33 Items Referred For Council
33.1 None from this meeting.
The meeting concluded at 4.23pm
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Signed
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Chair |
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