New Forest Borough Council
Councillors:
48
Wards:
28
Committees:
14
Meetings (2026):
65
Meetings (2025):
80
Meeting
General Purposes and Licensing Committee - New Forest
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Friday, 19th June 2026
10:00 AM
Friday, 19th June 2026
10:00 AM
End:
Friday, 19th June 2026
2:00 PM
Friday, 19th June 2026
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
19 Jun 2026
19 Jun 2026
Location:
Council Chamber - Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PA
Council Chamber - Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PA
Meeting Attendees
Officer
Democratic Services Officer
Andy Rogers
In attendance
Officer
Gemma Devine
Licensing Manager
In attendance
Officer
Service Manager - Environment and Regulation
Joanne McClay
In attendance
Agenda
0
Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr David Harrison.
Minutes
1
Minutes
To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 6 March 2026 and 18 May 2026 as a correct record.
Minutes
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meetings held on 6 March and 18 May 2026 be signed by the Chairman as correct records.
That the minutes of the meetings held on 6 March and 18 May 2026 be signed by the Chairman as correct records.
2
Declarations Of Interest
To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item. The nature of the interest must also be specified.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Minutes
No Declarations of Interest were made by any Members in connection with any Agenda Item.
3
Public Participation
To receive any public participation in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.
Minutes
There was no public participation.
4
Licensing Act 2003 Policy Review
To consider proposed revisions to the Council’s Licensing Act Policy following a 5 yearly review, together with recommended consultation arrangements.
Attachments:
- Document Licensing Act 2003 Policy Review Report 11 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 - Draft Licensing Act 2003 Policy v03 11 Jun 2026
Minutes
In introducing the item, the Chairman welcomed Gemma Devine, who had taken over from Christa Ferguson as the Council’s Licensing Manager.
The Committee considered proposed revisions to the Council’s Licensing Act Policy following a 5 yearly review, together with recommended consultation arrangements.
It was noted that the Council must publish a Statement of Licensing Principles (the Policy) detailing its responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003 every five years. The new version had been brought up to date with current requirements and guidance.
The proposed additions or amendments were around hypnotism, film classification, and equalities and diversity.
Members welcomed and supported the changes to the proposed policy, particularly the safeguarding initiatives, including in relation to Violence Against Woman and Girls (VAWG) and Ask For Angela.
Officers explained that Licensing Policy was based on the Licensing Act and national guidance, and therefore Hampshire policies were similar. In addition, regional officer working groups discussed consistency within policies and Hampshire councils were able to respond through the consultation process.
It was noted that film classifications undertaken by the Council were rare, as the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) certified films on behalf of Licensing Authorities when films were sought to be displayed nationally, and local authorities where the receiving film-maker felt aggrieved by the BBFC certified rating, and would seek local certification by licensing authorities instead.
A member felt it important that the public be reassured that there would be a degree of continuity of policy after LGR vesting day, before it was subsumed into the policy for the new authority.
The consultation process would run between July and September and would be shown on the Council’s website and advertised in a local newspaper and on social media. Responses would be included in the final proposed version of the policy to be determined at a further General Purposes and Licensing Committee meeting on 27 November 2026.
RESOLVED:
That the revised Licensing Act Policy be supported for consultation with the agencies set out in the report, and that the results of the consultation be submitted to the Committee for consideration and determination of the policy at its meeting on 27 November 2026.
The Committee considered proposed revisions to the Council’s Licensing Act Policy following a 5 yearly review, together with recommended consultation arrangements.
It was noted that the Council must publish a Statement of Licensing Principles (the Policy) detailing its responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003 every five years. The new version had been brought up to date with current requirements and guidance.
The proposed additions or amendments were around hypnotism, film classification, and equalities and diversity.
Members welcomed and supported the changes to the proposed policy, particularly the safeguarding initiatives, including in relation to Violence Against Woman and Girls (VAWG) and Ask For Angela.
Officers explained that Licensing Policy was based on the Licensing Act and national guidance, and therefore Hampshire policies were similar. In addition, regional officer working groups discussed consistency within policies and Hampshire councils were able to respond through the consultation process.
It was noted that film classifications undertaken by the Council were rare, as the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) certified films on behalf of Licensing Authorities when films were sought to be displayed nationally, and local authorities where the receiving film-maker felt aggrieved by the BBFC certified rating, and would seek local certification by licensing authorities instead.
A member felt it important that the public be reassured that there would be a degree of continuity of policy after LGR vesting day, before it was subsumed into the policy for the new authority.
The consultation process would run between July and September and would be shown on the Council’s website and advertised in a local newspaper and on social media. Responses would be included in the final proposed version of the policy to be determined at a further General Purposes and Licensing Committee meeting on 27 November 2026.
RESOLVED:
That the revised Licensing Act Policy be supported for consultation with the agencies set out in the report, and that the results of the consultation be submitted to the Committee for consideration and determination of the policy at its meeting on 27 November 2026.
5
Any Other Items Which the Chairman Decides Are Urgent
Previous Meetings
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in