The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday 4 August 2026. The primary item on the agenda was to consider an application for a new premises licence for Kingswood Local. The committee was also scheduled to note the hearing procedure rules.

Hearing Procedure Rules

The committee was scheduled to note the hearing procedure rules, including those for virtual licensing sub-committee meetings. These rules, outlined in the Addendum Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee Virtual Procedural Rules, govern how hearings are conducted remotely, including provisions for parties not attending, the use of Microsoft Teams, and the process for making decisions. The rules also detail the quorum required for hearings, which is three councillors for a licensing or regulatory sub-committee.

Kingswood Local Premises Licence Application

The main focus of the meeting was to consider an application for a new premises licence for Kingswood Local, located at 3 Kingswood Parade, Marlow Bottom, Marlow, SL7 3NT. The application, submitted by Thiruchelvam Sinnathamby and managed by agent Innpacked Ltd, sought to allow the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises between 06:00 and 23:00 daily, with the premises also open to the public during these hours.

The report pack indicated that the Chief Officer of Police, the Fire and Rescue Authority, the Local Planning Authority, and the Local Environmental Health Authority had no objections to the application. However, one objection was received from an other person on the grounds of protecting children from harm. This objection highlighted concerns that the premises' proximity to a school transport pick-up and drop-off point, where many children gather, could expose them to alcohol-related activity and undermine the licensing objective of protecting children from harm.

The Licensing Officer's observations noted that the key issue for the Sub-Committee was whether this sole representation provided an evidential basis to conclude that granting the licence would undermine the protection of children from harm. The committee was to consider conditions offered in the operating schedule, in addition to mandatory conditions, to promote the licensing objectives and address any valid representations.

The report also detailed the council's adopted Licensing Policy from March 2022, which aims to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm. Specific attention was drawn to sections concerning the responsible sale and supply of alcohol, the use of CCTV, and safeguarding policies, particularly in relation to protecting children. The report also referenced national guidance issued by the Home Office under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The operating schedule proposed by the applicant included various conditions aimed at promoting the licensing objectives. These covered staff training on licensing objectives, the installation and maintenance of a CCTV system, the keeping of an incident log and a refusals register, risk assessments for drinks promotions, restrictions on the sale of super-strength alcohol, and measures to prevent public nuisance. For the protection of children from harm, the schedule proposed a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, with specific acceptable forms of identification, and the recording of all refusals to sell alcohol.

The committee had the following options available: grant the licence with conditions, exclude certain licensable activities, refuse to specify a premises supervisor, reject the application entirely, or grant the licence with different conditions for different parts of the premises or activities. Any decision made would need to be appropriate and proportionate to promote the four licensing objectives and be supported by full reasons.