The Community Services and Licensing Committee has decided to approve the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy and authorize officers to undertake the statutory consultation.

URL: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=288

Decision Maker: Community Services and Licensing Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Stroud District Council’s Policy under Licensing Act 2003 must be reviewed and readopted every five years. The current policy will expire in January 2026

Content: The Licensing Manager introduced the report and advised that under the Licensing Act 2005, SDC must review, consult and adopt the Licensing Policy every 5 years. The current Policy was due to expire in January 2026, the Policy laid out the principles SDC applied when administering the Licensing Act. No major changes were proposed however information was added to the Policy detailed SDC’s expectations from applicants and licence holders about topical issues. These included: -       Spiking - drink, food and by injection. -       ‘Ask Angela’ – a national safety initiative to discreetly ask for assistance. -       Martyn’s Law – new legislation on improving preparedness and protection from terrorist attacks, requirements varied based on the size and activities which took place at venues.   SDC could not impose blanket conditions on all licences however for new applications the applicant must stipulate how they were meeting licensing objectives. Officers would encourage applicants to consider the three new additions and to volunteer conditions where appropriate that can be added to the licence by Officers. Conditions can only be imposed on a license (if not volunteered) where relevant, by a hearing panel.   If approved at Committee, the Policy would undertake public consultation before a final draft of the Policy would be considered by Committee in September 2025 and formally adopted at Council October 2025.   In response to Members questions, the following answers were provided: ·         Stroud Safe was an initiative primarily in Stroud Town and was a voluntary participation scheme where venues were provided a radio to communicate and alert issues and concerns of individuals between venues and directly to the Police. Venues as part of the scheme would also have access to a list of banned individuals and contain their photograph. ·         The Physical Activity & Health Development Manager would contact the founder of Stroud Safe for a Members briefing paper regarding the scheme and how licence holders could participate within the wider district.  ·         SDC did not offer training on ‘Ask Angela’ however the Council website did promote national online courses available.  ·         Community Officers, as part of ASB week (30 June – 4 July), would be attending towns across the district to identify which venue holders were using schemes such as Stroud Safe or ‘Ask Angela’ as a data gathering exercise. ·         There are no intended financial implications to SDC regarding Martyn’s Law. The measures for businesses and event organisers however are expected to be proportionate to the premise size or event. The business or event organisers would need to consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack and have procedures in place. For small scale businesses and events they are unlikely to need to invest in physical barriers. Officers were waiting on guidance from the Government which would outline their expectations and include more specific detail on requirements and actions of businesses and event organisers.   Proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Aldam.   Councillor Aldam and Robinson thanked the Officer for their report.   On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.   RESOLVED To approve the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy (Appendix A) and authorise officers to undertake the statutory consultation.  

Date of Decision: June 19, 2025