The Licensing Committee of Ealing Council met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to discuss updates on licensing policy and enforcement, and to consider the implementation of new regulations for keeping primates. The meeting's agenda included a review of recent licensing decisions and enforcement activities, as well as a report on the new Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024.

Licensing Policy Hearing and Enforcement Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on licensing policy and enforcement activities. This report, authored by Izabela Gregory, Head of Environmental Health & Trading Standards (Acting), and overseen by Cabinet Member for Decent Living Incomes, Kamaljit Kaur Nagpal, provided an overview of licensing activity during the 2025-2026 financial year and summarised decisions made by the Licensing Sub-Committee between April and May 2026.

The report indicated that as of 1 April 2026, Ealing Council had 1,216 premises licensed under the Licensing Act 2003, a decrease of 99 from the previous year following a data cleansing exercise. The council also managed 168 gambling licences, 214 massage and special treatment licences, and 57 explosives storage licences.

During the 2025-2026 financial year, 71 new Premises Licence applications were received, a decrease from the previous year but consistent with the longer-term average. The Licensing Sub-Committee made 24 decisions, considering 8 new Premises Licences, of which 3 were refused. There were also 11 reviews of Premises Licences, resulting in 4 revocations, 4 suspensions, and 3 instances where additional conditions were imposed. The report noted that 480 Temporary Event Notices were submitted and permitted.

In terms of enforcement, the Licensing service responded to 195 requests. Targeted compliance work included systematic inspections of 73 off-licensed premises. Late-night economy enforcement involved 32 proactive verification visits. Test purchase operations resulted in underage alcohol sales being detected at 3 premises. Significant seizures of illicit goods were made, including over 87,000 illicit cigarettes and 86,000 illegal vapes. The service also delivered WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) training and promoted the Ask for Angela safeguarding initiative.

The report also detailed decisions made by the Licensing Sub-Committee between 1 April 2026 and 31 May 2026, including the modification of licences for AAK Superstore and Oldfield Local, the granting of new licences for Goa Food & Wine, Northfield Food & Wine, and Majestic Wine Warehouse, and the suspension of AKP Retailer.

Implementation of the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the implementation of the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024. This report, also authored by Izabela Gregory and overseen by Kamaljit Kaur Nagpal, outlined the council's proposed approach to administering a new licensing regime for privately kept primates.

The regulations, which fully came into force on 6 April 2026, make it an offence to keep a primate without a licence issued by the relevant local authority. As the licensing authority, Ealing Council is responsible for determining applications, arranging specialist inspections, and undertaking enforcement.

The report sought approval for a proposed licence fee structure and governance arrangements. It noted that licence determinations could be delegated to authorised officers, a departure from other licensing regimes that might require committee determination. The proposed fee structure, which includes specialist veterinary inspection costs outsourced to the City of London Corporation, was designed for full cost recovery, excluding anticipated enforcement costs. Fees for a new licence application were set at £652 for one species and £744 for two or more species. The report highlighted that failure to adopt an appropriate framework would prevent the council from discharging its statutory duties and could lead to legal and reputational risks.

The committee was asked to note the implementation of the regulations, approve the proposed licence fee structure, and agree to delegate licence determinations to authorised officers.