Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Smith.

There were no public questions.

The Committee received a report from the Strategic Environmental Health and Public Safety Lead.

The report advised section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 required a licensing authority to prepare and publish a statement of its licensing policy at least every five years. During the five-year period, the policy must be kept under review and the licensing authority may make any revisions to it as it considers appropriate.

The existing Statement of Licensing Policy for Cambridge City Council became effective on 2nd March October 2021.

The process to start the review of the Statement of Licensing Policy began in September 2025 and a twelve-week public consultation took place between 22nd September 2025 and 14th December 2025.

The current Statement of Licensing Policy expired on 1st March 2026 and a new Statement of Licensing Policy must be in place by this date otherwise under the legislation, Cambridge City Council will not be able to process any applications covered by the Licensing Act 2003 until the policy is in place.

In response to Members’ questions the Strategic Environmental Health and Public Safety Lead said the following:

      i.          New legislation regarding vaping was expected in 2026. Details were to be confirmed but would be separate to policies in the 2003 Act.

     ii.          Growth would not be prioritised over the 4 licensing objectives, (city) growth was secondary to these.

   iii.          Referred to report paragraph 9.2: The City Council would work in partnership with stakeholders to take action such as disperse people from the city swiftly and safely to avoid concentrations which could lead to disorder and disturbance.

Councillor Divkovic proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation that care experience should be included in the protected characteristics as per P46/74 and Full Council motion.

This amendment was carried nem con.

The Committee:

Resolved (unanimously) to:

      i.          Consider the results of the public consultation exercise as summarised in Appendix B and C of the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Endorse the amended Statement of Licensing Policy attached to the Officer’s report as Appendix E. Appendix D included tracked changes showing the amendments that have been made as part of the consultation and additional changes following consultation responses. If endorsed would go to Full Council on 26th February 2026 for final approval.