URL: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=314

Decision Maker: Community Services and Licensing Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To consider the outcome of the consultation and agree a final Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 for adoption by Council. In accordance with the Act the Policy must be reviewed and readopted every 5 years. The current policy will expire in January 2026.

Content: The Licensing Manager introduced the report and highlighted the following points: The Policy laid out the principles Stroud District Council would apply when handling applications and licences under the Licensing Act which had to be reviewed every 5 years. The current Policy expires in January 2026 and Committee approved the draft Policy in June 2025 and reminded Members of the revisions made. Consultation on the draft Policy was undertaken between June and August 2025. Consultation responses could be found at Appendix A of the report. Sections were added on; ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’, clarification that ‘Ask Angela’ was for night and daytime economy and how the Council handles petitions. The final draft Policy was detailed at Appendix B and if approved, would be recommended to 23 October 2025 Council for adoption.   Proposed by Councillor Turner, seconded by Councillor Boyle.   Councillor Boyle thanked the Officer for her report.   Councillor Edmunds was pleased to see a recommendation which related to litter as a key priority for the Council and hoped ‘Ask Angela’ would be taken up by businesses.   In response to Councillor Dahdouh, the Licensing Manager advised: Officers could consider how to report to Committee the feedback on the impact of licensing under the provision of regulated entertainment for cultural events. The Council wanted to work in line with our other Policies and was constrained by specifics within legislation. However, the Council wanted to encourage cultural activities and provide support which included information on our website which aligned with the Cultural Strategy.   In response to Councillor Thomas on point 4.7 of the Policy, the Monitoring Officer advised the Council could produce guidance alongside the Policy for licence holders to consider as encouragement rather than conditions.   Councillor Edmunds queried where the Council could make a substantial difference or enforce littering. The Chair, Councillor Brown, responded that Environment Committee would be more suitable to consider litter aspects.   Councillor Turner thanked the Officer for the detailed report.   On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.   RESOLVED To Approve the Statement of Licensing Policy for the period January 2026 to January 2031 (Appendix B) and Recommend Adoption by Council.  

Date of Decision: September 25, 2025