The Licensing Committee of Boston Borough Council met to discuss and approve a draft statement of licensing policy, which is required to be reviewed every five years under the Licensing Act 2003¹. The committee approved the draft policy for consultation, which will run for eight weeks, commencing on 23 June. After the consultation, the committee will consider the responses and approve a final draft to be referred to the full council for adoption.

Licensing Act 2003 Draft Statement of Licensing Policy

The main item on the agenda was the review of the council's statement of licensing policy. Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer, presented the report, explaining that the policy sets out the approach the council will generally apply when determining applications under the Licensing Act 2003 to ensure that the licensing objectives are suitably promoted and upheld. These objectives are: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

The draft policy included several amendments, detailed in red ink within the document, including:

• Safeguarding: A new section was added to address safeguarding issues related to children and vulnerable adults, recommending that premises carry out risk assessments and ensure staff are aware of signs of abuse and neglect.
• Modern Slavery: A new section was added to provide advice on identifying and preventing modern slavery within licensed premises, including staff training and implementation of relevant protocols.
• Counter-Terrorism: A new section was added in anticipation of the Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025, also known as Martin's Law², providing links to resources and guidance on counter-terrorism measures.
• Public Safety: The public safety section was updated to include new initiatives and guidance, with specific reference to drink spiking.
• Public Space Protection Order (PSPO): A new section and appendix were added to inform licence holders and applicants about the PSPO in force in certain areas of Boston Town Centre, including suggested measures to reduce street drinking.

Councillor Jonathan Noble asked about the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and whether the restrictions on the sale of high-strength beers, lagers, ciders, and single cans were still in effect in Boston. Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer clarified that these were example conditions and guidance for applicants to consider, rather than mandatory restrictions, unless imposed following formal representation from Lincolnshire Police.

Councillor Noble also asked about the reason for the name of the Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025, and Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer explained that it was commonly known as Martin's Law, named after Martin Hett, who died in the Manchester Arena terror attack.

Councillor Amy Baxter raised concerns about enforcement of the policy, particularly regarding the enforcement policy on page 32 of the report. She requested that the corporate enforcement policy be circulated to committee members, and Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer agreed to do so, also offering to include a link to the policy in the document if available online. Councillor Baxter also asked about legacy licensing signage in parish halls, charity bingo events, and the licensing of barbershops. Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer clarified that the signage was no longer required, bingo events fell under gambling legislation, and barbershops were outside the scope of the Licensing Act 2003.

Councillor Stephen Woodliffe raised concerns about the PSPO boundary, noting that it excluded a major supermarket known to sell high-strength alcohol. He suggested that the PSPO needed to be reconsidered to include major retailers of alcohol. Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer undertook to pass the comments on to the community safety managers.

Councillor Chris Mountain echoed Councillor Woodliffe's comments regarding the PSPO and questioned the enforceability of conditions, particularly in relation to larger retailers. He noted that while the policy was robust, its impact was dependent on enforcement capacity. Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer explained that enforcement, including test purchasing, was undertaken by Lincolnshire Police, though resource constraints might limit frequency. She also noted that retrospective conditions on existing licences could only be added as part of a formal review process.

Councillor Noble asked whether the police still conducted test purchases for underage alcohol sales. Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that such operations continued, albeit less frequently, and were often combined with checks on tobacco and vape sales.

Councillor John Baxter proposed that the draft statement of licensing policy be approved for consultation, and Councillor Jonathan Noble seconded the proposal. The committee voted in favor of the proposal.