Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 July 2025 (Minute Nos. 180 - 185) as a correct record, and to accept the following Licensing Sub-Committee minutes: 25 June 2025 (Minute Nos. 93 – 96) and 31 July 2025 (Minute Nos. 256 – 259).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 July 2025 (Minute Nos. 180 - 185) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair accepted the Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 25 June 2025 (Minute Nos. 93 – 96) and 31 July 2025 (Minute Nos. 256 – 259).

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

No interests were declared.

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the Licensing Committee. Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered by Democratic Services by noon on Friday 10 October 2025 and must be related to an item on the Agenda. Each speaker has a maximum of three minutes to speak.

There were no registered speakers.

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report as set out in the agenda papers.  She drew attention that no responses to the public consultation had been received on the draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 - 2030.

The Chair invited questions from Members.

In response to a question from a Member, the Licensing Team Leader outlined the ways in which the consultation had been advertised, which included: local newspapers, the Council’s website; business bulletins; and trade associations.

The Vice-Chair proposed the recommendations. These were seconded by Councillor Charlie Miller.

Resolved:

(1)  That is be noted that there were no responses to the public consultation on the draft Statement of Licensing Policy.

Recommended:

(1)  That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 – 2030  be endorsed, and referred to Council on 10 December 2025 for adoption.