Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised that the proceedings were being recorded by the Council and

that the meeting was being livestreamed and broadcast from the Civic Suite, Castle

House.

NOTED that no Member or Officer declared any interest pursuant to any statutory

requirement in any matter discussed or voted upon at the meeting.

AGREED           that the minutes from the meeting held on 11 December 2025 were                      agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Environmental Health & Licensing Manager presented a report which provided the Committee with an update on Pubwatch Schemes currently in operation on the District. The aim of Pubwatch was to achieve a safer drinking environment in all licensed premises across the country, and the Licensing Committee had previously supported the local Pubwatch groups by promoting Schemelink which was a mobile phone app developed as a central point for easier data sharing. The report gave an update on the current position with the various Pubwatch Schemes and the officer support to these.

AGREED           that the report be noted.

The Environmental Health & Licensing Manager presented a report which provided the Committee with details of the various activities undertaken by the Licensing Team in relation to the different types of licensing matters covered by the Licensing Act 2003 from 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2025.

The report set out activities under the Licensing Act (including Temporary Event Notices); Hackney Carriage/Private Hire/Private Ambulances applications; Street Collections and House to House Collections.

AGREED           that the types and volumes for licenses processed in the previous                          quarter be noted.

To consider resolving that, under section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

AGREED that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee noted the exempt minutes from the Licensing Hearing Sub-Committees held on 13 January 2026.

(Summary provided in accordance with Section 100C(2) of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Committee noted the exempt minutes from the Licensing Hearing Sub-Committee held on 17 February 2026.

(Summary provided in accordance with Section 100C(2) of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Committee noted the exempt report of the Environmental Health & Licensing Manager which provided details of enforcement activities carried out in the previous quarter.

(Summary provided in accordance with Section 100C(2) of the Local Government Act 1972).

Note - Councillor J Lee arrived following the conclusion of the meeting due to a prior meeting commitment.