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Licensing Committee minutes

Committee minutes · Licensing Committee · Mon 10 Nov 2025 · Hastings Borough Council

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The Licensing Committee met on 10 November 2025. p1

Twelve letters or emails from members of the public opposed removing certain areas from the Cumulative Impact Assessment, citing concerns about over-saturation of premises. p6

The Committee resolved unanimously to approve publication of the Cumulative Impact Assessment and Policy, for it to apply to premises licence applications including substantive variation applications. p8

The Committee also approved revised Cumulative Impact Zones, retaining the High Street (Area 2B) and removing a section of Cambridge Road west of Cambridge Gardens. p8

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  • p1Licensing Committee — minutes of the meeting on 10/11/2025
  • p6Public Health expressed a preference for applying a cumulative impact policy across the entire borough; however, it was agreed that such an approach would not be proportionate and that a balanced approach was necessary to support local businesses while addressing problem areas. The Council already collaborated with partners, examples of which included recent joint operations with Trading Standards, including test purchases for underage sales. The licensing matrix was considered an effective tool for mitigating potential issues by influencing operating hours and the types of premises encouraged. The Council were supportive of non-alcohol-led businesses, such as theatres, craft shops, and small-scale producers, which might occasionally host tasting events. During the consultation, the Community Safety Manager had expressed concerns that the decision to remove certain areas was misaligned with work undertaken on Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). There had been no prior consultation regarding PSPOs, which made achieving a balanced approach challenging. It was acknowledged that the work on no-alcohol zones could have been better aligned with existing provisions, provided sufficient evidence supported such alignment. The Council had previously proposed removing certain areas from the CIA, specifically part of the Old Town and the top end of the High Street. The proposal excluded the bottom end of the High Street, where most licensed premises were located. The suggested removal area extended from Swan Terrace up to the junction of Old London Road, based on crime figures indicating no significant issues in that area. Twelve letters or emails had been received from the public opposing the removal of those areas, citing concerns about potential over-saturation of premises. Some responses reflected misunderstandings about the consultation, referencing areas such as George Street, which were not part of the proposed changes.
  • p8The next review was scheduled for three years’ time, although the overarching policy, which was a five-year policy adopted in 2022, might be revisited earlier. It was noted that a single policy for the whole of East Sussex could be considered in future, subject to Local Government Reorganisation. Members noted that the policy was intended to be strict but would allow flexibility in genuinely acceptable circumstances. Each application would be assessed on its own merits, and whilst the general presumption was to refuse applications within designated zones, exceptions could be made where strong arguments were presented. The Chair requested that wording about ongoing collaboration with the Community Partnership, particularly regarding the Old Town and High Street be inserted in the Policy. Officers emphasised that issues could be discussed through the Joint Action Group (JAG), which already involved relevant stakeholders, and agreed to draft appropriate wording for the Policy, in consultation with the Chair. There being no further discussion, Councillor Sinden proposed the recommendation, duly seconded by Councillor Bacon, whereupon the Committee RESOLVED: (unanimously) 1. To approve the publication of the Cumulative Impact Assessment / Policy and that the Assessment applies to applications in respect of premises licence applications, including substantive variation applications, and that such an Assessment policy be incorporated into the draft Statement of Licensing Policy. 2. To approve the revised Cumulative Impact Zones as set out in the report, including retention of the High Street (Area 2B) and removal of the section of Cambridge Road west of Cambridge Gardens. Reason: The council, as a licensing authority must carry out a consultation exercise prior to any review of its Cumulative Impact Assessment (Section 5A (8) of the 2003 Act) in order to decide if it remains of the view that the CIA is necessary.

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