Camden Council has formalised its procedure rules for remote meetings held under the Licensing Act 2003 and associated regulations. These rules aim to ensure the smooth and transparent operation of licensing hearings conducted remotely.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Licensing Panel C on 24 July 2025, where councillors were scheduled to discuss and agree on the Guidance on Remote Meetings.

According to the guidance, remote hearings are conducted using Microsoft Teams, utilising both audio and video functionality. The document outlines procedures for participation, handling interruptions, voting, and ensuring equalities. It also addresses how to manage confidential or exempt items. The Guidance on Remote Meetings outlines specific procedures for participation, handling interruptions, voting, and ensuring equalities. It also details how to manage confidential or exempt items.

Camden Council is committed to ensuring public access and transparency during remote licensing hearings. Unless a hearing is dealing with confidential items, it will be streamed live to the public, allowing them to listen and watch (if video is available). The public will not be able to participate directly in the hearings. These hearings will also be recorded, stored, and uploaded to the Council's website, with the aim of making them available within 48 hours of the hearing's conclusion. Minutes will be taken and published in the usual manner, ensuring a comprehensive record of the proceedings is accessible to the public.

To address potential technical difficulties or disruptions during remote meetings, specific measures have been put in place. If a member's audio feed cuts out during the hearing, they are instructed to:

  • Use the 'chat' function in Teams to immediately advise that they can no longer hear the other participants, if they are still connected to Teams.
  • If unable to use the Teams 'chat' function, use the emergency contact details provided to alert the relevant officer (usually the committee officer), who will then advise the Chair.

Upon notification of a panel member's audio feed failing, the Chair will immediately halt the hearing and call a short adjournment of up to 15 minutes to allow for the connection to be re-established.