The Licensing Committee was scheduled to consider updates on licensing enforcement and the annual performance of the Licensing Partnership. The committee was also scheduled to review licences determined under delegated powers and any associated appeal activity.

Licensing Partnership Annual Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an annual update on the performance of the Licensing Partnership, a collaborative arrangement involving Bexley, Maidstone Borough Council, Sevenoaks District Council, and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. This partnership aims to provide resilience and capacity for processing licence applications, notices, and permits while maintaining each council's policy sovereignty. The report was expected to detail the partnership's performance indicators and achievements for the 2025-2026 period, including the volume of work handled across the partnership and specifically for Bexley. It was also scheduled to outline the objectives for the 2026-2027 service plan, focusing on efficiency savings, online facilities, and preparations for potential local government reorganisation.

Licences Determined Under Delegated Powers and Appeal Activity

This item was scheduled to provide a summary of licences granted under delegated powers for premises operating under the Licensing Act 2003, covering the period from June to September 2026. It was also to include an update on any appeals lodged during the same timeframe. Additionally, the report was scheduled to detail any decisions made under delegated powers to refuse applications or revoke licences issued under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. The report indicated that seven new premises licences were scheduled for consideration, including for businesses such as Wingstop and KFC. Six variations to existing premises licences were also scheduled for review, such as changes to operating hours for J D Wetherspoon Plc's Furze Wren pub and for A W Foodhall. Minor variations to premises licences, such as changes in layout for Lidl and Buzz Bingo, were also to be presented. The report noted that no refusals or revocations under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 were scheduled for the specified period.

Licensing Enforcement Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on enforcement actions undertaken by Licensing and Trading Standards since the previous meeting. This was to include information on test purchases related to underage sales of alcohol and vapes, as well as investigations into illicit tobacco sales. The report was expected to detail any potential prosecutions or closure orders resulting from these enforcement activities. It was also scheduled to cover inspections of licensed premises, including those selling fireworks, and any issues identified with special treatments premises.

Approved Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee

The committee was scheduled to be informed of the approved minutes from recent Licensing Sub-Committee hearings. These were to include decisions made regarding premises such as Tap 3, Hayat Restaurant, and Greek Meze 2. The report was to provide brief details of these hearings and their outcomes.

Declarations of Interest

The committee was scheduled to consider guidance for members on declaring interests at meetings. This section was to outline the types of interests that should be declared, including Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests, and the procedures to be followed if a member has an interest to declare.

Items of Late Business

This agenda item was scheduled to allow for the consideration of any urgent matters that had arisen since the agenda was published. Such items would only be dealt with if the Chair was satisfied that special circumstances warranted their inclusion.

Minutes from the Last Meeting

The committee was scheduled to review and approve the minutes from its previous meeting.

Date of Next Meeting

The date for the subsequent Licensing Committee meeting was scheduled to be Tuesday, 19 January 2027.