The Licensing (Premises) Committee of Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 03 November 2026 to discuss proposed changes to the council's Statement of Licensing Policy and to consider the framework for a potential cumulative impact assessment. The committee will also review the minutes from its previous meeting.

Review of Buckinghamshire Council's Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy

A significant portion of the meeting is scheduled to be dedicated to a review of Buckinghamshire Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, as required by the Licensing Act 2003¹. This policy outlines how the council will carry out its licensing functions, aiming to promote the four statutory licensing objectives: preventing crime and disorder, ensuring public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm.

The report pack indicates that the draft revised policy has been refreshed rather than fundamentally rewritten, incorporating feedback from a public consultation. Key changes include clearer links to the council's Corporate Plan 2026–2031, stronger provisions on safeguarding, domestic abuse, violence against women and girls, drink spiking, and partnership working. It also includes updated references and definitions, and acknowledges Martyn's Law². The policy aims to balance the needs of businesses with the protection of residents, promoting a positive, modern and proportionate approach that protects residents, promotes the licensing objectives and supports well-run businesses, vibrant communities and the local economy.³

The consultation process involved various stakeholders, including Thames Valley Police, Public Health, and licence holders. Feedback from this consultation has informed the proposed revisions. For instance, Thames Valley Police requested further consideration of a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) for Aylesbury town centre, a matter that is addressed in a separate report. Public Health also submitted a response, recommending changes related to high-strength alcohol and health inequalities. The report seeks agreement on the draft revised policy before it is referred to Full Council for adoption.

Cumulative Impact Assessment: Statutory Framework, Evidential Requirements and Consideration of Next Steps

The committee is also scheduled to consider a report on Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIAs) under the Licensing Act 2003. A CIA is a tool that licensing authorities can use if they believe that the concentration of licensed premises in a specific area is contributing to problems that undermine the licensing objectives.

The report explains the statutory framework for CIAs, the types of evidence required, and the procedural steps involved. It notes that while concerns about cumulative impact were raised during the consultation for the Statement of Licensing Policy, particularly by Thames Valley Police regarding Aylesbury town centre, the current evidence base is not sufficient to support the publication of a CIA.

The report recommends that officers undertake a limited scoping exercise to identify potential cumulative impact concerns, assess available evidence, and estimate the resources required for any further investigation. This initial step would help the committee decide whether to commit further resources to a more detailed assessment. The report highlights that a CIA is not intended to control commercial competition or address issues related to individual premises, but rather to address problems arising from the combined effect of multiple licensed premises in a defined area.