The Licensing Committee of Epping Forest District Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday 9th October 2025. The committee will be considering updates to the Statement of Licensing Policy, revisions to the Scrap Dealers' Policy, and licensing application statistics. They will also look at the minutes of the previous meeting.

Scrap Metal Dealers' Policy

The committee is scheduled to discuss and potentially agree to revisions of the council's Scrap Metal Dealers' Policy, following a consultation. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 aims to reduce metal theft by strengthening regulation of the scrap metal industry.

The proposed changes to the policy include:

• Removing information about transitional arrangements that were in place when the Scrap Metal Dealers Act was introduced in 2013.
• Updating the policy to reflect the latest Home Office supplementary guidance issued in January 2023, and statutory guidance on determining suitability to hold a scrap metal dealers' licence.
• Including changes made by the Finance Act 2021 regarding tax checks that must be undertaken as part of an application.
• Allowing administrative amendments to the policy, such as those required due to legislative changes or council restructuring, to be made without further consultation. Instead, these changes would require the approval of the relevant Portfolio Holder, Chair of the Licensing Committee and Service Director.
• Adding that civic amenities where the public can dispose of household waste, run by councils or contractors, do not require a licence.
• Including that the council may consider relevant training undertaken by an applicant when assessing their suitability to hold a licence.
• Adding limitations on what matters the council may consider when determining applications.
• Including The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (Prescribed Relevant Offences and Relevant Enforcement Action) Regulations 2013.
• Including circumstances and examples where vehicles can be bought for cash.

If the Licensing Committee agrees to the proposed changes, a formal consultation will be undertaken with various stakeholders, including existing scrap metal dealers, Essex Police, the Environment Agency¹, and local councils.

Whilst there is no requirement for the Council to have a formal policy in place for dealing with applications made under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. As a process of best practice, the Council has chosen to adopt a formal policy for this purpose.

Statement of Licensing Policy Update

The committee is scheduled to consider an update to the Statement of Licensing Policy. Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 requires licensing authorities to determine and publish a statement of licensing policy every five years. The current policy was approved in December 2020, and has been reviewed and reconsulted upon.

The policy relates to licensing activities including the granting of premises licences, club premises certificates, temporary events and personal licences in the district in respect of the sale/supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment. It sets out the principles the council will apply to promote the licensing objectives when making licensing decisions, and aims to provide guidance to applicants, residents, businesses and the wider community.

The council consulted widely on the revised statement of licensing policy, and received six responses. One minor amendment was requested by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, to add 'as amended' when referring to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The draft policy is scheduled to be considered by Cabinet on 10 November 2025 and full Council on 18 December 2025.

Licensing Statistics

The committee is scheduled to consider and note the Licensing Application Statistics from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The statistical report details the number of applications received under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005.

The report includes data on:

• Premises licence applications/variations
• Temporary event notices (TENS)
• Reviews
• Personal licence applications
• Appeals
• Gambling Act 2005 applications

Minutes of the Licensing Committee

The committee will consider the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 3 April 2025. The previous meeting included updates on:

• Street Parties / Road Closures for VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations
• Pavement Off Sales Easement Ends
• 2025 UEFA Women's European Championships (Euro 2025) semi-finals and final
• Annual Taxi Tariff Review
• Tobacco & Vape Bill
• Alcohol Licensing Policy
• Electric charging facilities