The Licensing Committee of the City of London Council met on Monday 19 October 2026. The committee received updates on delegated decisions, the licensing pre-application process, and the Greater London Authority's strategic licensing powers.

Statutory Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

The committee considered the final draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP) for the period 2027-2032. This policy, which is subject to statutory review every five years, sets out the City of London Corporation's approach to exercising its licensing functions under the Licensing Act 2003. The final draft incorporates feedback from an extensive public consultation, which generated 79 responses. Key changes arising from the consultation include strengthening alignment with the Mayor of London's strategic licensing policy, enhanced recognition of the City's cultural and hospitality economy, and expanded provisions for safeguarding, public health, and counter-terrorism. The policy also reinforces a risk-based approach to events and strengthens protections for residential amenity. The draft policy was endorsed by the Mayor of London's strategic licensing team, who noted its alignment with the emerging London Strategic Licensing Policy and its support for economic growth. The committee was asked to approve the final draft policy and authorise the Executive Director of Environment, in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair, to make any minor, non-material amendments before its submission to the Court of Common Council on 3 December 2026 for adoption, with publication expected in January 2027. The committee voted unanimously to approve the final draft Statement of Licensing Policy.

Livery Companies Update

Julia, representing the Livery Committee, provided an update on the revitalised role of the Ale Conners (A. O'Connors). The Ale Conners are now focusing on civic visibility, heritage interpretation, education, and responsible hospitality engagement within the licensed trade. Liam Randall, a new appointee, has been instrumental in reinvigorating the role. The Ale Conners have been involved in various initiatives, including supporting civic occasions, contributing to heritage interpretation through guided walks and talks, and engaging with the licensed trade as civic ambassadors. They were also involved in the City of London's submission to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory. The committee discussed potential ways to further develop the relationship with the Ale Conners and other hospitality livery companies to support the aims of the Destination City strategy.

Licensing Pre-Application Process Update

Rachel Pye, Assistant Director of Public Protection, and Robert Breese, Licensing Officer, provided an update on the licensing pre-application process. They highlighted that this service, which is free of charge, is invaluable for businesses and residents navigating the complexities of licensing law. Pre-application meetings allow applicants to discuss potential issues with licensing officers, the police, and environmental health prior to submitting their application. This proactive approach aims to reduce the number of representations and the need for hearings, saving time and costs for all parties. A recent example cited was the variation application for St Paul's Cathedral, where pre-application discussions facilitated a smoother process. The committee noted the benefits of this service and encouraged its continued promotion.

Greater London Authority's Strategic Licensing Powers Update

Rachel Pye provided an update on the Greater London Authority's (GLA) new strategic licensing powers, which came into force on 3 November 2026. These powers introduce a definition of licensing applications of potential strategic importance to London and outline the Mayor's call-in powers. The definition of strategic importance is broad and includes applications related to fee bands D or E, licensing activities after 11 pm, events of more than 5,000 people, licenses for less than three months, and live music performances in certain fee bands. The City of London anticipates that over 50% of its applications may fall into this category. The City Corporation is working with London Councils and the GLA to understand the implications for staffing, software, and workflows. The committee noted that alignment with the GLA's policies could reduce the likelihood of decisions being called in, saving officer time and resources.

Delegated Decisions of the Executive Director Environment Pertaining to Premises Licences

Robert Breese, Licensing Officer, provided an update on delegated decisions concerning premises licences. He explained the data presented in the report, including the total number of inspections (84), warning letters issued (5), premises advised (20), and licences lapsed or surrendered (17). He clarified the meaning of premises advised as relating to situations where complaints were received without evidence, and no breach was found. The report also detailed enforcement actions under the Police Factories Act and the City of London (Various Powers) Act, primarily concerning illegal street trading and collections. The committee noted that the City currently has no premises in the red category of its traffic light scheme, with only two in amber, indicating a generally high level of compliance.

Any Other Business

The committee noted that the Licensing Committee meeting scheduled for 17 February 2027 would be moved to Monday 15 February 2027 at 1.45 pm. This change was made to ensure that the committee's approval of integrated plans precedes the Finance Committee meeting on 16 February 2027.