The General Purposes and Licensing Committee of Bromley Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The meeting's agenda included a review of the 2026 local elections and proposed changes to electoral law, as well as an annual report on complaints received by the council. Other discussions were scheduled to cover the member induction programme, appointments to outside bodies, and routine updates to the council's constitution.

Annual Complaints Report and LGSCO Letter 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Complaints Report for 2025/26, which details the complaints received by the council across various departments. This report also includes an overview of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's (LGSCO) annual review letter and accompanying data for the London Borough of Bromley. The report was intended to provide an overview of complaints and the council's interaction with the LGSCO between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. The council's ethos of continuous improvement and commitment to using feedback to enhance services was highlighted. The report indicated a statutory requirement for annual reports on social care complaints, but the council extended this to cover all divisions. The report detailed the number of complaints received, how they were received, and the proportion that were upheld. It also outlined the causes for complaint, such as a lack of action and quality of service issues, and the timeliness of responses. The LGSCO section detailed the number of referrals, investigations, and upheld complaints against the council, comparing Bromley's performance to the London average. The financial consequences of upheld complaints were also presented. The report noted that the Environment & Public Protection directorate would have its complaint handling statistics compiled by that division for the last time, with Customer Relations assuming responsibility for all council complaint handling from June 2026.

Feedback on the 2026 Local Council Elections and Update on the Representation of the People Bill

The committee was scheduled to receive feedback on the local council elections held on 7 May 2026. The report detailed changes implemented since the 2022 elections, including the introduction of voter ID requirements, the Voter Authority Certificate (VAC), online postal vote applications, and changes to postal vote handling. It also addressed the impact of the UK's exit from the EU on the voting rights of EU citizens. The report outlined the logistical arrangements for the elections, including the dispatch of poll cards, the nomination process for candidates, and the registration of voters. It also discussed the challenges of recruiting temporary staff for election duties and the process of issuing, receiving, and verifying postal votes. The report noted issues with Royal Mail delivery of poll cards and postal vote packs, and highlighted the reliance on a limited number of specialist print suppliers. The conduct of polling day and the vote count were also detailed, including the use of Kangaroo Boards for counting votes in multi-member wards. The report indicated that the overall borough turnout was 49.68%, a significant increase from the previous election. Additionally, the committee was to receive an update on the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which proposed changes such as lowering the voting age to 16, enabling automated registration, and expanding accepted forms of voter ID.

Members Induction Programme 2026 - Review

This report was scheduled to summarise the induction events held for new and returning councillors following the May 2026 local elections. It detailed the administrative setup, including the provision of IT equipment and the collection of essential statutory declarations. The induction programme consisted of six sessions covering topics such as standards, governance, planning, licensing, departmental overviews, and council finance. Video introductions from chief officers were also made available. Feedback from councillors on the induction events was positive, with suggestions for improvements including better air conditioning, clearer slide visibility, more officer name badges at marketplace events, and spreading sessions over a longer period. The report also mentioned additional training opportunities on personal security and tackling loneliness. It referenced a Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review recommendation to strengthen the member development offer, including a comprehensive induction and tailored training for key roles. The report sought member views on future development needs and the potential use of external providers.

Appointment of Honorary Aldermen

The committee was scheduled to consider recommendations for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen. This honour is intended to recognise exceptional service to the council and the borough. The report outlined the criteria for appointment, which included a minimum of 12 years' service as a councillor and the rendering of eminent or notable service. The process for nomination and appointment, as well as the rights and privileges of Honorary Aldermen, were detailed. The report noted that a special meeting of the Council would be required for the appointments. An informal cross-party meeting had identified potential candidates, whose identities were to be released upon confirmation of the committee's support. The report also mentioned the council's scheme for appointing Honorary Freemen.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

This report provided an update on issues raised at the committee's previous meeting regarding appointments to outside bodies. It addressed specific points concerning the Bromley Town Twinning Association, Nash College, Cray Valley War Memorial Hall, Clarion Housing Group – South London Regional Scrutiny Committee, the Mentoring Steering Group, and the Biggin Hill Airport Consultative Committee. The committee was asked to note updates, reduce its formal representation on the Bromley Town Twinning Association, and appoint representatives to Nash College and Cray Valley War Memorial Hall.

Routine Constitution Updates

The Director of Corporate Services and Governance had made routine updates to the council's Constitution under delegated powers. This report summarised these changes, which affected Chapters 3, 4, and 6 of the Constitution. The updates included a reallocation of property responsibilities to the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio, consequential amendments to the terms of reference of PDS Committees, and changes reflecting the dissolution of the Human Resources, Customer Services and Public Affairs Department.

Work Programme and Matters Outstanding

This report outlined the committee's work programme for the 2026/27 council year and addressed matters outstanding from previous meetings. It detailed the committee's role in fulfilling non-executive functions, including licensing and other responsibilities not delegated to the executive. The report listed the scheduled meetings for the year and anticipated reports. It also covered outstanding issues from previous meetings, such as a request for a report on the live-streaming of committee meetings and allowing residents to ask questions online. The report also recommended the re-appointment of the Constitution Working Group and the appointment of its members.

Licensing Sub-Committee Minutes

The committee was scheduled to receive and consider the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held on 24 June, 9 July, and 30 July 2026. These minutes detailed decisions made regarding various licensing matters.

• Review of the Premises Licence of Smoque, 2-4 Ringers Road, Bromley, BR1 1HT: The Sub-Committee considered an application for a review of the premises licence based on the identification of illegal workers on three separate occasions over a three-year period. Concerns were raised regarding non-compliance with immigration and employment law, and wages paid below the National Minimum Wage. The Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Team and the Licensing Authority supported the review. The Premises Licence Holder's case argued that responsibility lay with the tenants and that measures were being taken to regain control and ensure compliance. The Sub-Committee found that the crime prevention objective had been undermined and resolved to revoke the Premises Licence.

• Application to Vary the Premises Licence for J.C. Two, St Mary Cray Post Office, 5 - 7 Mountfield Way, Orpington, BR5 3NR: The application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises. Local residents objected, citing concerns about increased late-night noise, disturbance, antisocial behaviour, and the impact on families with young children. The applicant's agent stated that the premises operated as a convenience store, had planning permission for 24-hour operation, and that measures were in place to promote licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee granted the application with extended hours and imposed several additional conditions, including CCTV requirements, a challenge 25 scheme, staff training, an incident register, a refusals log, restrictions on the sale of high-strength beer and cider in single containers, and a condition that beer or cider of 6% ABV or greater would only be sold in packs of four.

• Variation to the current premises licence for Cray Express Ltd, 61 High Street, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3NJ: The application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises. Local residents objected, expressing concerns about public nuisance, community safety, and the potential for increased loitering and late-night drinking. The applicant stated that the premises was a small business, that they would not undermine licensing objectives, and had a good relationship with residents. The applicant agreed to reduce operating hours and comply with police-proposed conditions. The Sub-Committee granted the application with extended hours and imposed several additional conditions, including CCTV requirements, a challenge 25 scheme, staff training, an incident register, a refusals log, conditions regarding deliveries and waste disposal, and a requirement for staff to be legally entitled to work in the UK.

• Application for Two Temporary Event Notices for Pierluigi's, 86 - 90 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1ED: The application sought to extend licensable hours on two separate weekends. The applicant's representative referred to previous court decisions and argued that public nuisance required widespread impact, not just private nuisance affecting a single resident. The Environmental Health Officer (EHO) raised concerns about public nuisance and crime, citing an existing abatement notice and recent breaches. The EHO noted that despite mitigation measures, excessive noise had been identified. The Applicant's representative argued that the proposed extension was modest and aimed at assisting with dispersal. The Sub-Committee, considering that the evidence was not sufficient to establish likely unacceptable public nuisance and that the police had not objected on grounds of public disorder, resolved to grant the Temporary Events Notices subject to existing licence conditions and undertakings to comply with additional conditions imposed by the Magistrates' Court.

• Variation to the current licence for McDonalds, 1-3 Market Square, Bromley, BR1 1NA: The application sought to extend opening hours and late-night refreshment hours on Fridays and Saturdays, and to employ one SIA registered door supervisor during these extended hours. Objections were raised by ward councillors and local residents concerning prolonged disruption, noise, litter, antisocial behaviour, and the impact on residential areas. The applicant's case focused on staffing needs and the potential for reduced environmental impact by operating overnight. The Licensing Committee granted the application subject to several conditions, including CCTV requirements, the employment of an SIA registered door supervisor on Friday and Saturday nights, a register of SIA staff, a written dispersal policy, closure of the upstairs seating area from 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, monitoring of the immediate vicinity, prominent signage at exits, staff training on conflict management and child protection, a designated Welfare Lead, and a procedure for managing delivery drivers.