Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
68
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Licensing Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 15th June 2026
6:30 PM
Monday, 15th June 2026
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 15th June 2026
9:30 PM
Monday, 15th June 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
15 Jun 2026
15 Jun 2026
Location:
Council Chamber - Deanes
Council Chamber - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Leader of the Conservative Group
Reserve
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Committee Member
Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee
Chair
Chair of the Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee and Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Resident Services & Vice-Chair of Development Control Committee
Guest
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor S Minas-Bound.
Councillor J Slimin substituted for Councillor M Bound.
Councillor J Slimin substituted for Councillor M Bound.
2
Appointment of Vice-Chair
To appoint a Vice-Chair to the Licensing Committee for the 2026/27 municipal year.
Minutes
Councillor J Jenkin was appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.
3
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
4
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.
5
Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2026
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 February 2026 04 Jun 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2026 were approved by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
6
Approve the Draft Animal Licensing Policy 2026-2031 for Consultation
Contact Officer: Emma Coles
The purpose of this report is to seek the Licensing Committee’s approval to consult on the draft Animal Licensing Policy 2026–2031.
The purpose of this report is to seek the Licensing Committee’s approval to consult on the draft Animal Licensing Policy 2026–2031.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 04 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 2 04 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report, which invited councillors’ feedback on the draft Animal Licensing Policy 2026–2031 and sought the Licensing Committee’s approval to undertake a public consultation on the policy.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Concerns were raised about unclear proportionality in the policy, particularly regarding charities and licensing costs, alongside limited transparency of the Star Rating system on the Council’s website. It was stated that the policy would be updated to incorporate guidance from the RSPCA on animal charities. Stated that the requirements for smaller operators, including extensive paperwork were onerous and the level of proportionality was questioned. It was clarified that there was no scope within the legislation to amend the requirements. Additional detail was requested within the policy regarding the Star Rating system to explain how some operators may not be able to reach the maximum standard. It was explained that the council was not the responsible body for vet licensing. A recent councillor visit with the animal welfare and licensing officers highlighted the team’s high standard of work. In response to a question, the Licensing Team Leader stated that support was available from licensing officers to assist new applicants in meeting the requirements and acknowledged the complexity of the process. Questioned the value the consultation period would add, as the policy was based on national regulations, with concern raised that it may not lead to meaningful change to the policy. The Licensing Team Leader stated that the Council had a role in presenting the policy in a clear way for local users and expressed the importance of councillors as internal consultees in the process. Suggested that the consultation include an option for respondents to confirm they were content with the policy or had no comments. It was agreed that councillors approve the policy for consultation, subject to being given the opportunity to provide further feedback on its presentation and accessibility prior to consultation.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approve the draft Animal Licensing Policy 2026–2031 for consultation. Delegates authority to the Licensing Team Leader, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to make any necessary minor alterations / typographical corrections to the policy before it is published.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Concerns were raised about unclear proportionality in the policy, particularly regarding charities and licensing costs, alongside limited transparency of the Star Rating system on the Council’s website. It was stated that the policy would be updated to incorporate guidance from the RSPCA on animal charities. Stated that the requirements for smaller operators, including extensive paperwork were onerous and the level of proportionality was questioned. It was clarified that there was no scope within the legislation to amend the requirements. Additional detail was requested within the policy regarding the Star Rating system to explain how some operators may not be able to reach the maximum standard. It was explained that the council was not the responsible body for vet licensing. A recent councillor visit with the animal welfare and licensing officers highlighted the team’s high standard of work. In response to a question, the Licensing Team Leader stated that support was available from licensing officers to assist new applicants in meeting the requirements and acknowledged the complexity of the process. Questioned the value the consultation period would add, as the policy was based on national regulations, with concern raised that it may not lead to meaningful change to the policy. The Licensing Team Leader stated that the Council had a role in presenting the policy in a clear way for local users and expressed the importance of councillors as internal consultees in the process. Suggested that the consultation include an option for respondents to confirm they were content with the policy or had no comments. It was agreed that councillors approve the policy for consultation, subject to being given the opportunity to provide further feedback on its presentation and accessibility prior to consultation.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approve the draft Animal Licensing Policy 2026–2031 for consultation. Delegates authority to the Licensing Team Leader, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to make any necessary minor alterations / typographical corrections to the policy before it is published.
7
Adoption of the amended Street Trader Policy 2026 - 2031 following consultation
Contact Officer: Emma Coles
The purpose of this report is to present the outcome of the public consultation on the amended Street Trader Policy 2026–2031 and to seek formal adoption of the policy by the Licensing Committee.
The purpose of this report is to present the outcome of the public consultation on the amended Street Trader Policy 2026–2031 and to seek formal adoption of the policy by the Licensing Committee.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 04 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 2 04 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report, which presented the outcome of the public consultation of the on the amended Street Trader Policy 2026–2031 and sought formal adoption of the policy by the Licensing Committee.
The Committee were informed that there were no responses received to the consultation.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Clarified that although there was no formal consultation responses received, informal discussions had taken place with both existing and prospective licence holders. Explained that trading pitches could not be transferred as this was not permitted in legislation and had been applied in error previously.
Resolved: The Committee:
Adopts the Street Trader Policy 2026-2031. Delegates authority to the Licensing Team Leader, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to make any necessary minor alterations / typographical corrections to the policy before it is published.
The Committee were informed that there were no responses received to the consultation.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Clarified that although there was no formal consultation responses received, informal discussions had taken place with both existing and prospective licence holders. Explained that trading pitches could not be transferred as this was not permitted in legislation and had been applied in error previously.
Resolved: The Committee:
Adopts the Street Trader Policy 2026-2031. Delegates authority to the Licensing Team Leader, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to make any necessary minor alterations / typographical corrections to the policy before it is published.
8
Review of work programme
The committee is asked to note and review its Work Programme, alongside the Licensing Service Committee Report Summary as requested at the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Work Programme 04 Jun 2026
- Document Licensing Service Committee Report Summary 04 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Chair introduced the work programme and informed the Committee that an additional meeting had been scheduled for 7 July 2026 to consider the Hackney Carriage Fares.
The Licensing Team Leader outlined upcoming items for future meetings, including the Licensing Act 2003 Policy, Licensing Fees and Charges, the Gambling Act 2005 Policy, and the draft Animal Policy returning after consultation for consideration in November.
The Chair advised that the report summary included within the work programme would be updated for each meeting to reflect progress on key areas of delivery.
The Chair and Licensing Team Leader informed the Committee of the opportunity for councillors to accompany licensing officers on accompanied visits. Interest was expressed to accompany the team on nighttime economy (NTE) enforcement visits.
It was suggested that it would be useful to see a full list of policies within the Committee’s remit, including those not on the work programme, along with how often they were reviewed. It was agreed that the information would be circulated.
The Licensing Team Leader outlined upcoming items for future meetings, including the Licensing Act 2003 Policy, Licensing Fees and Charges, the Gambling Act 2005 Policy, and the draft Animal Policy returning after consultation for consideration in November.
The Chair advised that the report summary included within the work programme would be updated for each meeting to reflect progress on key areas of delivery.
The Chair and Licensing Team Leader informed the Committee of the opportunity for councillors to accompany licensing officers on accompanied visits. Interest was expressed to accompany the team on nighttime economy (NTE) enforcement visits.
It was suggested that it would be useful to see a full list of policies within the Committee’s remit, including those not on the work programme, along with how often they were reviewed. It was agreed that the information would be circulated.
Previous Meetings
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