Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
53
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
63
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Licensing Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 3rd November 2025
6:30 PM
Monday, 3rd November 2025
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 3rd November 2025
9:30 PM
Monday, 3rd November 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
03 Nov 2025
03 Nov 2025
Location:
Council Chamber - Deanes
Council Chamber - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Vice-Chair
Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Leader of the Conservative Group
Committee Member
Reserve
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services and Standards Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Committee Member
Committee Member
Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Committee Member
Vice-Chair of the Resources Committee
Guest
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing
Reserve
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Reserve
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillors T Jones and J Perry.
Councillors A Mummalaneni and K Watts were absent.
Councillor S Hart, the Vice-Chair, chaired the meeting in the absence of Councillor T Jones.
Councillors A Mummalaneni and K Watts were absent.
Councillor S Hart, the Vice-Chair, chaired the meeting in the absence of Councillor T Jones.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Urgent matters
To consider any items of business, other than those shown on this agenda and which, by reason of special circumstances to be stated at the meeting, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Minutes
There were no urgent matters.
4
Minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2025
The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2025 22 Oct 2025
Minutes
An amendment was requested to 8/24. The wording ‘Suggested an awareness campaign to address the issue of spiking in nightclubs’, was amended to the below:
‘A discussion took place regarding the issue of spiking drinks in nightclubs and how the evidence was obtained. It was suggested that whether the Council could offer a direct reporting system to the public to collate additional information alongside evidence from the police.’
Subject to the amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chair.
‘A discussion took place regarding the issue of spiking drinks in nightclubs and how the evidence was obtained. It was suggested that whether the Council could offer a direct reporting system to the public to collate additional information alongside evidence from the police.’
Subject to the amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chair.
5
Licensing Fees and Charges 2026 - 2027
Contact Officer: Emma Coles
The purpose of this report is to provide the committee with the proposed licensing fees and charges for 2026/27.
The purpose of this report is to provide the committee with the proposed licensing fees and charges for 2026/27.
Attachments:
- Document Report 22 Oct 2025
- Document Appendix 1 22 Oct 2025
- Document Appendix 2 22 Oct 2025
- Document Appendix 3 22 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report, which presented an in-depth review of the licensing fees and charges for 2026/27, with the proposed new changes to come into effect from 1 April 2026. This included the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle and Operator fees and charges to be advertised in accordance with Section 70 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
The Licensing Team Leader summarised the key percentage changes to the proposed fees and charges related to taxi vehicles, drivers and operators’ fees, alongside other licensing fees as set out in the report.
The Licensing Team Leader provided an update on the proposed licensing fees for extra low-emission (under 50 CO2) private hire vehicles, which were not stated in the report due to a delay in funding approval. It was stated that the associated costs of the vehicle licences, both new applications and renewals, would be subsidised for a two-year period.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Noted formatting and typographical errors within the report. Expressed concern that proposed charges for larger operators with up to 25 vehicles had reduced but had increased for smaller operators. The Licensing Team Leader explained that the fees reflected cost recovery as similar administrative work was required regardless of operator size. Asked if fees and charges comparisons were made with other authorities. The Licensing Team Leader explained that fee differences between authorities reflected variations in overheads and other costs.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the licensing fees and charges which will apply from 1 April 2026. Approves for consultation the Taxi Vehicle and Operator fees and charges set out in appendix 1 to be advertised in accordance with Section 70 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. This will take place in March 2026 ready for the fees to come into force on the 1 April 2026. Delegates authority to the Shared Service Licensing Team Leader, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to consider objections received, and to make any necessary modification and set the date that the variation shall come into force.
The Licensing Team Leader summarised the key percentage changes to the proposed fees and charges related to taxi vehicles, drivers and operators’ fees, alongside other licensing fees as set out in the report.
The Licensing Team Leader provided an update on the proposed licensing fees for extra low-emission (under 50 CO2) private hire vehicles, which were not stated in the report due to a delay in funding approval. It was stated that the associated costs of the vehicle licences, both new applications and renewals, would be subsidised for a two-year period.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Noted formatting and typographical errors within the report. Expressed concern that proposed charges for larger operators with up to 25 vehicles had reduced but had increased for smaller operators. The Licensing Team Leader explained that the fees reflected cost recovery as similar administrative work was required regardless of operator size. Asked if fees and charges comparisons were made with other authorities. The Licensing Team Leader explained that fee differences between authorities reflected variations in overheads and other costs.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the licensing fees and charges which will apply from 1 April 2026. Approves for consultation the Taxi Vehicle and Operator fees and charges set out in appendix 1 to be advertised in accordance with Section 70 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. This will take place in March 2026 ready for the fees to come into force on the 1 April 2026. Delegates authority to the Shared Service Licensing Team Leader, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to consider objections received, and to make any necessary modification and set the date that the variation shall come into force.
6
Approve the Draft Furniture on the Highway Licensing Policy 2026 - 2031
Contact Officer: Emma Coles
The purpose of this report is to approve the Draft Furniture on the Highway Licensing Policy 2026 – 2031 for consultation for an 8 week period.
The purpose of this report is to approve the Draft Furniture on the Highway Licensing Policy 2026 – 2031 for consultation for an 8 week period.
Attachments:
- Document Report 22 Oct 2025
- Document Appendix 1 22 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report, which requested the Committee to approve the council’s draft Furniture on the Highway Licensing Policy 2026 – 2031.
It was explained that the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023 made permanent the provisions set out in the Business and Planning Act 2020, which gave district councils the authority to issue pavement licenses for businesses to use outdoor furniture placed on the highway.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Confirmed that it was permitted to use chairs without tables on a licensed outdoor premises. Questioned the provision related to health and safety risk assessments within the policy. The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that the Environmental Health team alongside other bodies were responsible for this area. Sought further clarification on the wording within the policy to ensure it reflected the applicant’s responsibility for health and safety risk assessments. Highlighted the importance of disability access and clear design guidelines to avoid a negative impact on individuals with protected characteristics. Clarified that pavement licences were valid for two years, whereas tables and chairs licences were valid for one year. Questioned whether raised platforms could be considered as an object as part of pavement licensing provisions. The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that this was not permitted.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the Draft Furniture on the Highway Licensing Policy 2026-2031, to be sent out for consultation for an 8-week period.
It was explained that the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023 made permanent the provisions set out in the Business and Planning Act 2020, which gave district councils the authority to issue pavement licenses for businesses to use outdoor furniture placed on the highway.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Confirmed that it was permitted to use chairs without tables on a licensed outdoor premises. Questioned the provision related to health and safety risk assessments within the policy. The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that the Environmental Health team alongside other bodies were responsible for this area. Sought further clarification on the wording within the policy to ensure it reflected the applicant’s responsibility for health and safety risk assessments. Highlighted the importance of disability access and clear design guidelines to avoid a negative impact on individuals with protected characteristics. Clarified that pavement licences were valid for two years, whereas tables and chairs licences were valid for one year. Questioned whether raised platforms could be considered as an object as part of pavement licensing provisions. The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that this was not permitted.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the Draft Furniture on the Highway Licensing Policy 2026-2031, to be sent out for consultation for an 8-week period.
7
Review of work programme
The committee is asked to note and review its Work Programme.
Attachments:
- Document Work Programme 22 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that the Draft Furniture on the Highway Licensing Policy would return to the Committee meeting in February for approval following the expiration of the consultation period.
The Licensing Team Leader stated that the consultation results on the installation of CCTV in licensed vehicles would be presented at the February meeting.
The Licensing Team Leader stated that the consultation results on the installation of CCTV in licensed vehicles would be presented at the February meeting.
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