Licensing Committee - Thursday 16 April 2026, 7:00pm - Epping Forest District Council webcasts

Licensing Committee
Thursday, 16th April 2026 at 7:00pm 

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  1. Cllr Richard Morgan
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  1. Serena Shani
  2. Gary Woodhall
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  1. David Marsh
  2. Cllr Richard Morgan
  3. Cllr Alan Lion
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  10. Cllr Richard Morgan
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  1. David Marsh
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  6. Cllr Lisa Morgan
  7. David Marsh
  8. Cllr Richard Morgan
  9. Cllr Steven Heather
  10. David Marsh
  11. Cllr Richard Morgan
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  1. Webcast Finished

Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:00:00
Welcome to our Licencing Subcommittee meeting.

1 Webcasting Introduction

Well, not subcommittee, it's Licencing Committee, isn't it?
This meeting is to be webcast and the Chairman will read this following notice.
I'd like to remind everyone that this meeting will be filmed live or recorded and uploaded
to the internet and will be capable of repeated viewing.
Therefore, by participating in this meeting, you are considered to be being filmed and
to be the possible use of those images and sound recordings.
If any public speakers on MS teams
do not wish to have their imagery captured,
they can ensure that their video settings
throughout the meeting is turned off and set to audio only.
I don't need to remember there's no members of the public,

2 Apologies for Absence

but our members know that to turn on and off
their microphones.

1 Webcasting Introduction

Right, we'll move on. Apologies for absence, please.

2 Apologies for Absence

We have apologies from Councillor Sunger, Councillor Allgood and Councillor Kesker.

3 Declarations of Interest

There should be some more than that, shouldn't there?
Chairman, we've just had apologies from Councillor Gabbard.
Serena Shani - 0:01:16
Where do you come from?
Gary Woodhall - 0:01:18
Okay, thank you.
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:01:20
Any other interjectories of interest?
Minutes of the last
Licencing Committee on pages 4 and 5,
which is on the 9th of October.

5 Minutes of the Licensing Committee

We can confirm those as a correct record.
We will agree.

6 Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committees

The subcommittee meetings are done only with...
They've been done already.
They've been done, yes.
OK, right, thank you.

7 National Licensing Policy Framework

Right, we'll move on to item 7, the national licencing policy framework.
And I'll ask J. King, our licencing manager, to go through this, please.
David Marsh - 0:02:16
On 26 November 2025, the Government published its National Policy Framework for the Hospitality
and Leisure sectors, which sets out its strategic vision for a modern, permissive licencing
system that safeguards communities whilst enabling hospitality and leisure to thrive.
The Framework has been developed in response to the call for evidence on the Licencing
Policy Task Force proposals, which show strong support for the overarching objective of a
transparent licencing system which empowers local authorities while promoting economic
growth, cultural development, public safety and community wellbeing.
Its aim is to ensure a responsive and enabling licencing system for hospitality and leisure
businesses that not only protects and safeguards communities but supports investment in existing
and new venues, extended consumer choice, regeneration and better regulation.
The framework applies exclusively to on -trade premises including pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, hotels, theatres, cinemas and concert halls.
It does not apply to off -trade premises including off -licences, supermarkets or convenience stores.
Although non -statutory, the framework is intended to influence local licencing policy, inform training and review local approaches to ensure consistency, transparency and alignment with national strategic aims.
It asks licenced authorities to consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic
benefit when making their decisions.
Whilst non -statutory, the Government has indicated that if the Framework is not having the intended
effect it will consider options to strengthen the approach, for example by setting clear
expectations, examples or even by making statutory changes to the legislation or guidance.
Unfortunately the Framework was published after the Council had reviewed and re -consulted
upon its current Statement of Licencing policy. However, an assessment of the Council's
current position has been undertaken to identify any areas where improvement is required to
meet the national licencing policy framework recommendations.
The assessment shows that the Council and its Statement of Licencing policy is already
broadly compliant with Government recommendations and little or no change is required at this
time. However, we will continue to monitor the framework as it develops and the Licencing
committee will be kept updated on any changes and future recommendations that are required.
The key recommendations contained within the framework are detailed under Appendix A to
the report along with the assessment findings and officer comments.
Thank you, Chair, and I am happy to take any questions.
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:04:53
Thanks, Chairman.
Cllr Alan Lion - 0:04:57
It is obviously a fairly comprehensive report, but what I was wondering about is there going
to be any guidance for the subcommittees?
Is there going to be any change in guidance or additional guidance to subcommittees to
ensure that they're aware of the changes in legislation?
Yes, Chair.
David Marsh - 0:05:15
One of the proposals is so the training for members, some members' training will be amended
to reflect any changes.
As I say, we are already broadly compliant.
However, there will be some updates as well and there's a further update which I'll cover
under the third item I've got on the agenda, Chair, as well, with regards to updated guidance.
Thank you.
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:05:40
Cllr Alan Lion - 0:05:43
Just on that, I realise there's going to be training, but is there going to be anything
in this sort of information to members for sub -licence committee?
Because you've got that precursor of guidance to members of the public and that sort of
stuff.
Is there going to be anything in there that we need to take account of?
David Marsh - 0:06:03
There is, Chair. There has been some updated guidance. Section 182 has been updated,
but I will touch upon that in my last report. That will include a reference to updating the
committee reports to make reference to that.
Cllr Alan Lion - 0:06:22
One further thing. Is there anything that needs to go in the Constitution with regard to this?
David Marsh - 0:06:26
No, no, it's non -statutory. So what we've undertaken is a health cheque really, an assessment
again, what's the government's strategic aims and if we're broadly compliant with that.
Although the framework wasn't published until after we had already consulted upon our statement
of licence and policy and it went to committee in December, a lot of the recommendations
within that we'd already included last summer. So it's fully up to date in terms of plan
planning, agent of change principles and a lot of the key subjects that the government
have indicated that licenced civil authorities should be aware of. So it was quite positive
from that respect that our policies are in good form.

8 Extension of Hours World Cup 2026

Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:07:09
Any other questions on that item? Okay, that was for noting. Noted, right. Item 8 is the
extension of ours the World Cup and you've all got a report on that I should
have I think you want to read it first or David to go through it right thank
you chair again apologies that there was an issue with the document unfortunately
David Marsh - 0:07:42
hadn't uploaded to the website however the committee members have been given
a copy of the report and I will provide a summary of the extension of hours now.
So the FIFA World Cup 2026 is due to take place across Canada, Mexico and the USA between
the 11th June and 19th July. As with previous significant sporting events, government announced
that it will relax licenced hours across licenced premises where a home nation is successful
and reaching the quarter -finals, semi -finals and the final of the tournament.
The extended hours will not apply to the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises
– so supermarkets or off licences – or late -night takeaways, and this extension will
only apply to pubs.
The extension will only apply to premises in England and Wales, as licencing is a devolved
matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
At the time of drafting the report, Chair, England and Scotland had already qualified
for the tournament. However, Wales and Northern Ireland hadn't qualified and were due to play
in the World Cup playoffs at the end of March. Unfortunately, neither team has qualified
for the tournament and therefore only England and Scotland will be taking part.
Under the original Government announcement, the proposal was to extend the hours that premises
are permitted to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises, so they continue to sell alcohol
without the need for a temporary event notice until 1am the following morning, where England
or Scotland reach a quarter -final, semi -final or final with a kick -off at or before 9 o 'clock
or until 2am the following morning where England or Scotland reach a quarter -final, semi -final
or final with a kick -off at 10 o 'clock.
This remains unchanged however. The Committee are advised that earlier this week Government
has announced a further relaxation and it has been suggested that the extension may
also apply to other matches in the earlier knockout stages of the tournament. However,
further guidance for licencing authorities on this is expected in the coming weeks.
Thank you, Chair.
Are there any questions?
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:09:51
Cllr Alan Lion - 0:09:53
Thank you, Chair. It must be a bad record. Just wondering about the resource implications
and do we know from previous experience the sort of uptake of TENS licences that might
apply or are we resourced to actually deal with it or is it just business as usual?
David Marsh - 0:10:13
Thank you, Chair. It will be business as usual. We do do some guidance. We do a lot of work
with Essex Police as well around venues. The difficulty all licencing authorities will
have is this is an automatic extension for pubs so they don't need to notify the licencing
authority. So there is no requirement for them to notify us. However, typically we will
know the premises within the district who are likely to show the football. It's during
the summer obviously, so we imagine the take -up will be quite high. Thank you.
Thank you, Captain Morgan.
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:10:44
Cllr Lisa Morgan - 0:10:46
Thank you. I couldn't see it in here, but you mentioned pubs. Does that include clubs
as well? Because there are quite a few drinking clubs still within Epping Forest that will
show the football and things, so does that include those as well when you're saying the
I couldn't see it on here, sorry.
Yeah, that's okay.
David Marsh - 0:11:02
Yeah, so on licenced premises, so if you're talking about members clubs,
then yes, they'll automatically benefit from the extension as well.
But restaurants takeaways of licences, they won't benefit from the extension of ours.
Thank you, I just wanted to double cheque that. Thank you.
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:11:21
Okay, thank you.
Councillor Hannon.
Cllr Steven Heather - 0:11:31
I take it that all existent conditions apply to public houses as in outdoor entertainment,
if this is going to be going on until two in the morning and they've got a big screen
outside, as you say, it's the summer months, is that still prohibited after 10 o 'clock?
David Marsh - 0:11:54
That's a very good question. A lot of these premises actually may not have ordinarily
been licenced until that time, so the conditions won't carry over. So the conditions on the
existing licence, so for example if a pub would not ordinarily close at 11 o 'clock on
that particular evening, however they've got an extension potentially until 1 o 'clock in
the morning, then the conditions of their existing licence cannot be applied because
They don't actually have a licence.
This is an exemption.
This is an automatic extension for them.
What I would say is that we will get further information from government on this, so they
will be able to quantify that.
But I can kind of look into that a bit further.
But my understanding is no, the conditions won't apply.
Okay.
Any further questions at all?
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:12:34
No?
All right.
That was eight, yes.
Item nine, is it now?

9 Government Support Package for pubs & updated S182 Guidance

Government support package for pubs and update section 182 guidance.
That's on pages 17 to 19 of our agenda.
Thank you, Chair.
David Marsh - 0:13:06
In addition to the National Licencing Policy Framework published in November and the planned
extension to pub openings during the 2026 World Cup and further licencing reform, the
Government has announced as part of its support package for pubs a 15 % cut in business rates
from April 2026, followed by a freeze of a further increase for two years.
This announcement follows November's budget, which left many businesses facing steep rises
in their rate bills and concerns raised by the hospitality industry that pubs and other
venues remain at risk. Government has acknowledged that pubs have faced significant pressure
as the numbers have fallen by nearly 7 ,000 since 2010 and it has suggested that the three -year
package will save the average pub around £1 ,650. The pub sector as a whole will be paying 8 %
less in business rates in 2029 than they do currently. The cut in business rates will
awarded to all pubs that meet the following characteristics. They're open to the general
public, they allow free entry other than when occasional entertainment is provided, they allow
drinking without requiring food to be consumed and they permit drinks to be purchased at the bar.
However this does not include restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, hotels, festival sites,
theatres or other venues as stated in the report. Provisions to identify all eligible pubs and live
music venues has been undertaken by the Council's business rates team and as part of the annual
billing process and the relief will automatically be applied. No application is required. However,
information and advice for businesses is available on the Council's website.
The Government has also confirmed it will be reviewing the method used to value business
rates for pubs going forward and this review will be carried out alongside businesses,
their representatives and valuation experts, ensuring that any decisions that follow will
be implemented in time for the 2029 re -evaluation.
Finally, Chair, as part of the Government's ongoing wider licencing reforms, the Home
Office has also updated its section 182 guidance to licencing authorities to include the requirement
for licencing authorities to support economic development in their decision making.
Under 1 .18 of the revised guidance, it now states that when making licencing decisions,
all licencing authorities should consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic
benefits. A spokesperson from the Home Office said the update to section 118 guidance has
been added to help ensure that when determining licence applications and considering any conditions
that may apply, licencing authorities have in mind the need to support the development of the
thriving hospitality sector while still upholding the existing statutory licencing objectives.
As the Licencing Committee are aware, the Section 182 guidance is statutory and the
Council must have regard to it when carrying out its functions and in its decision making.
Whilst local authorities do not need to update their statement of licencing policies to reflect
this new requirement, given its statutory footing, it must be a consideration in Licencing
Committee's Office of Recommendations, Licencing Committee decisions and Magistrate decisions
on appeal going forward.
This requirement will now be included in licencing reports going forward.
Members of the licencing committee are requested to consider the need to promote growth and
deliver economic benefits when determining future applications.
Thank you, Chair.
Any questions on that?
Professor Lyon.
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:16:39
Cllr Alan Lion - 0:16:41
Thank you, Chairman.
There's a couple of things.
I mean, this is quite good news for pubs, but it has implications for other parts of
the Council.
Obviously, you've covered business rates there, but also from the economic development point
of view.
I'm just wondering whether there was an economic development strategy that was just considered
and approved.
I'm just wondering whether this needs to be included in that to make sure that the economic
development team are fully aware of that and can react to it as well.
But again, I think it's a good thing if it saves them money and ensures their business.
And again, there's also an implication for planning because we've seen a number of planning
applications come forward where they wanted to convert part of the pub into either residential
accommodation or other things.
So there's quite a wide implication for this particular piece of legislation.
Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:17:42
David Marsh - 0:17:44
Certainly, we can flag this for the Economic Development Team. In terms of the impact on
planning, this is specifically in relation to the licencing authority and determining
licencing applications and how we conduct visits under Licencing Act. Whilst there may
be broader concerns, we will make those other teams aware. Thank you, Chair.

10 Matters Arising

Cllr Richard Morgan - 0:18:03
Okay, any further questions on that item? No, we go on to item 10 I think. Any matters
rising from anything? Any comments at all, anything? Okay. Just remember to thank members
of the committee, especially those here tonight, for all their support over the year, especially
to our licencing manager, David, of course my vice chairman, of course, keep me in order.
And those who are up for election, if any of you are, good luck. I hope to see you next
year and the day for our next meeting will be the 9th of October. And if there's no other

11 Date of Next Meeting

business, I declare the meeting closed.
Thank you.
Cllr Steven Heather
District councillor for Waltham Abbey South and Rural ward
Conservative Party
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Cllr Alan Lion
District councillor for Grange Hill ward
Conservative Party
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David Marsh
Team Manager - Waste Management
Epping Forest District Council
View profile David Marsh
Cllr Lisa Morgan
District councillor for Grange Hill ward
Epping Forest Independents Group
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Cllr Richard Morgan
District councillor for Rural East ward
Conservative Party
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Serena Shani
Democratic Services Officer
Epping Forest District Council
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Gary Woodhall
Team Manager - Democratic and Electoral Services
Epping Forest District Council
View profile Gary Woodhall