The Licensing Committee of Doncaster Council met on 18 June 2025 to discuss their terms of reference, procedures, and delegation of functions, as well as to receive an update on the activities of the licensing committee, licensing sub-committee and licensing service. The agenda included a review of licensing policies and upcoming decisions. The meeting was scheduled to be filmed for broadcast on the council's website.

Terms of Reference, Procedure and Delegation of Functions

The committee was asked to note the terms of reference for the Licensing Committee and Licensing Sub-Committee, which remain unchanged. These terms define the scope and responsibilities of each committee.

The report pack included the recommendation that the committee agree that the procedure for hearings remain unchanged for hearings held under the Licensing Act 2003¹, the Gambling Act 2005², the Town Police Clauses Act 1847³ and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976⁴.

The committee was also asked to agree to the delegation of functions, which also remain unchanged. The delegation of functions outlines which decisions can be made by officers and which require committee approval.

The report pack also included a recommendation that the committee agree to the appointment of members to the Licensing Sub-Committee, which remains unchanged. The minimum number of members required to be quorate⁵ is three.

Finally, the committee was asked to agree to the procedure for dealing with the settling of appeals, after a sub-committee hearing but before the appeal hearing in the Magistrates court, which is unchanged.

The report stated that:

City of Doncaster Council as the licensing authority is required to establish a licensing committee and sub-committee(s) in order to discharge its duties under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005. The establishment of defined terms of reference, clear procedures and delegations allows the Council to make licensing decisions.

Licensing Update, Overview and Horizon Scan

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the activities of the licensing committee, licensing sub-committee, and the licensing service. This included a summary of the 2024/25 licensing committee and sub-committee activities, as well as a comparison of applications received by the licensing service and a summary of the number of existing licences.

According to the report, nine hearings were held to determine premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003, which is six more than the previous year. Three decisions were appealed to the Magistrates Court; two were dismissed and one was withdrawn.

The committee was also scheduled to note the licensing structure diagram, which provides an overview of licensing service staff roles, and the 'horizon scan', which summarises upcoming policy determinations to be presented to members for consideration at future committee meetings.

The horizon scan included the following upcoming policy decisions:

• Licensing Act 2003 – Statement of Licensing Policy: A revised version of the policy has recently been consulted on and is on route to adoption by full council in November 2025. The Licensing Committee will be presented with the revised policy in September 2025 and asked to recommend that Council considers its adoption.
• Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy: A revised version of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy has been drafted and will shortly be subject to a 12 week public consultation after which, subject to any amendments, it will be brought before the Licensing Committee to agree and adopt. The Licensing Committee is expected to be presented with the revised policy and asked to consider and agree its adoption, in late 2025 / early 2026.