The Licensing Committee of Northumberland Council was scheduled to consider updates on the council's licensing activities and the ongoing process of refreshing its Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003. The meeting was also scheduled to review the council's statutory responsibilities in administering and enforcing licensable activities.

Quarterly Activity Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the licences determined by subcommittees and delegated officers during the first two quarters of the 2026/27 financial year, covering April to June and July to September 2026. This report was intended to provide an overview of the council's licensing activity, including the number of applications determined and the total number of licences currently issued under both the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005. The report also included a summary of national policy developments, such as changes to gambling premises regulation and revised statutory guidance for the Licensing Act 2003, including updates on counter-terrorism measures and digital proof of age.

Licensing Act 2003: Policy Refresh Timetable

This item was scheduled to outline the process for refreshing the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which sets out the principles applied when exercising functions under the Licensing Act 2003. The policy governs the regulation of alcohol sales, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment, and must support the four statutory licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The report was scheduled to highlight the timetable for this refresh, which involves development through the council's Budget and Policy Framework process, and to invite the committee to agree on how it would participate in the consultation period. The proposed timetable indicated that initial proposals were to be approved by Cabinet in December 2026, with a consultation period following, and final proposals to be approved by Cabinet and then Council in March 2027.

The meeting was also scheduled to address apologies for absence, confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 September 2026, and consider any urgent business. The agenda also included a reminder about the disclosure of members' interests, outlining the procedures for declaring and managing any potential conflicts of interest in accordance with the council's Code of Conduct.