The Licensing Committee of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The meeting's agenda included an update on the council's licensing activities and a discussion on the refresh of the Gambling Act 2005 policy.

Quarterly Activity Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the licences determined by subcommittees and delegated officers between January and March 2026. This period covers the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The report also included an update on policy development. Northumberland County Council is responsible for administering and enforcing licensable activities under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005. The report indicated that administering and enforcing these activities supports the council's corporate plan priorities, including achieving value for money, tackling inequalities, and driving economic growth.

The activity report detailed the number of applications determined for various licences under the Licensing Act 2003, such as new premises licences, variations, and temporary event notices. It also provided the total number of licences currently issued by the authority. Similarly, it outlined the number of applications determined for licences under the Gambling Act 2005, including premises licences, gaming machine permits, and small lotteries, alongside the total number of licences issued.

Gambling Act 2005: Policy Refresh Timetable

A significant item on the agenda was the refresh of the licensing policy for the Gambling Act 2005. The council, as the local licensing authority, is required by the Gambling Act 2005 to publish a policy outlining the principles it will apply when exercising its functions under the gambling regulation scheme. The development of this refreshed policy was being led by the Cabinet, with a view to presentation to the full Council for approval. The committee's role in this process is to oversee the operation of the licensing scheme itself.

The report highlighted the timetable for the policy refresh and invited the committee to agree on its participation in the consultation period. The Gambling Act 2005 aims to prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, ensure it is conducted fairly and openly, and protect children and vulnerable persons. The report detailed the legislative framework and the division of regulatory responsibility between the Gambling Commission, which acts as the national regulator for operating licences, and local councils, which act as licensing authorities for premises licences and permits.

The proposed timetable indicated that Cabinet would approve initial proposals on 8 September 2026, followed by the commencement of a consultation period on 9 September 2026. The Licensing Committee was invited to consider the initial proposals on a date to be confirmed in September 2026, with the Communities & Place OSC also considering them on 28 September 2026. The consultation period was scheduled to end on 16 October 2026, with Cabinet approving final proposals on 10 November 2026, and full Council approving them on 13 January 2027. The committee was recommended to agree to an extraordinary meeting during the consultation period to ensure its views were considered.

The report also noted that work on refreshing the policy had involved input from Public Health Managers to strengthen the strategic approach to health and wellbeing, including tackling gambling harms. The refresh of the Licensing Act 2003 policy was also mentioned, with work scheduled to begin in April 2026, aiming for consideration by full Council in May 2027.