The Licensing (Premises) Committee of Buckinghamshire Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday 11 August 2026. The meeting's agenda included the approval of minutes from previous meetings and a review of the council's Statement of Licensing Policy.

Review of Buckinghamshire Council's Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy

A significant item on the agenda was the review of Buckinghamshire Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which is required every five years under the Licensing Act 2003. The council's current policy was adopted in March 2022, and a revised policy is due to be published by March 2027. The committee was to be informed about the statutory role of the council as a Licensing Authority, responsible for authorising licensable activities such as the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment. These decisions must promote four key licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The report pack indicated that the council must have regard to statutory guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The existing policy was noted to address matters recommended by this guidance, including licensing principles, conditions, enforcement, licensing hours, children's access to premises, equality considerations, integration with wider council strategies, and the delegation of licensing functions.

The committee was also to consider the national Licensing Policy Framework for the hospitality and leisure sectors, published in November 2025. While non-statutory, licensing authorities are expected to take its principles into account. This framework reaffirms the importance of the four licensing objectives and encourages a more transparent, proportionate, and growth-supportive approach to licensing.

A formal consultation process was proposed as a statutory requirement before the adoption of the revised policy. This would involve an eight-week consultation period, to be undertaken before the summer school holidays, utilising the council's online consultation platform and direct engagement with licence holders. Additional promotional measures were planned, including website and social media promotion, direct emails to licence holders, drop-in engagement sessions at The Gateway, and engagement with Town and Parish Councils. The results of this consultation and a revised draft policy were scheduled to be reported back to the committee in September, with a subsequent referral to Full Council for formal adoption.

The report pack also highlighted discussions from a previous meeting on 21 April 2026 regarding the policy review. During that meeting, officers clarified that no legislative changes had occurred to the Licensing Act 2003 itself and that the national policy framework constituted guidance rather than statutory law. Members had raised concerns about the robustness and visibility of the consultation approach, with officers reassuring them that the proposed eight-week consultation period was considered reasonable and aligned with statutory guidance. The committee had previously endorsed the proposed consultation approach, including engagement with stakeholders and the public.

The report pack also mentioned the potential implications of Martyn's Law¹ and its interaction with licensing functions. Officers confirmed that while Martyn's Law places significant responsibilities on businesses and premises operators, enforcement responsibility lies primarily with the Security Industry Authority. It was acknowledged that the legislation closely relates to the licensing objectives of public safety and crime prevention.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The committee was scheduled to approve the minutes of its previous meetings held on 21 April 2026 and 20 May 2026. The minutes from the 21 April meeting indicated that the committee had noted the statutory requirement to review Buckinghamshire Council's Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy and had resolved to endorse the proposed consultation approach. The minutes from the 20 May meeting noted apologies for absence from Councillor Kirsten Ashman and Councillor Paul Kelly, and the election of Councillor Heather Wallace as Chairman of the Licensing Premises Committee for the ensuing year.