The Buckinghamshire Council's Licensing Premises Committee met on Tuesday 21 April 2026 to review its Statement of Licensing Policy. The committee endorsed the proposed consultation approach for the policy review, which will involve engagement with stakeholders and the public.

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

The committee discussed the statutory requirement to review Buckinghamshire Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which is mandated every five years. The current policy, adopted in March 2022, is due for republication by March 2027. Senior Licensing Officer Kat Crelling presented the report, outlining that the review process will involve an eight-week public consultation period before the school summer holidays. This consultation will include direct communication with statutory consultees, licence holders, and other stakeholders, as well as drop-in sessions and an online survey via Your Voice Bucks.

Councillor Robin Stuchbury questioned the difference between the new national licensing policy framework and the existing Section 182 guidance, with officers clarifying that the framework is non-statutory and provides additional guidance rather than replacing existing legislation. Councillor Mahboob Hussain OBE JP raised concerns about the effectiveness of public consultation, prompting officers to detail the multi-channel approach planned, including direct emails to licence holders and face-to-face drop-in sessions at The Gateway.

Councillor Matthew Hind inquired about expected engagement levels, with officers anticipating around 30-40 responses based on previous experience. Councillor Kirsten Ashman asked how the new national framework, which emphasises growth and a more transparent, proportionate, and growth-supportive approach, would be factored into the policy review. Officers explained that while the framework's principles would be considered, the four statutory licensing objectives remain paramount, and much of the framework's content is already reflected in the council's existing policy.

Discussions also touched upon the engagement of responsible authorities in the licensing process, with officers detailing efforts to improve this through multi-agency liaison meetings. Councillor Robin Stuchbury raised the potential implications of Martin's Law ¹, a new piece of legislation related to terrorism, on licensing. Officers confirmed that while the SIA² is the enforcing body, the council is planning for its implementation and that it could impact licensing sub-committees due to its relevance to public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.

The committee noted the statutory requirement to review the policy and endorsed the proposed consultation approach. The revised draft policy, incorporating feedback from the consultation, will be presented to the committee in September 2026 before being referred to Full Council for adoption.