Greenwich Council's Licensing Committee has officially established and appointed members to its Licensing Sub-Committees for the 2026/27 period. The decision was confirmed during a meeting held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
This administrative step is a statutory requirement under the Licensing Act 2003, ensuring the council can effectively manage its licensing functions. The committee reviewed the necessity for these sub-committees and considered nominations for their membership. The appointed members will serve on the sub-committees as detailed in Appendix 1 of the relevant report, which can be found in the public reports pack.
The establishment of these sub-committees and the appointment of members are crucial for the Licensing Committee to fulfil its legal obligations. These responsibilities include undertaking all functions of the Authority under the 2003 Act not otherwise designated to the Council. Specifically, the sub-committees will be responsible for making and reviewing recommendations to the Council on the Statement of Licensing Policy, advising on the protection of children from harm, and deciding the extent to which the Authority will recommend the classification of films. They will also monitor the impact of licensing on regulated entertainment, refer reports to the Planning Authority on licensed premises, and consider current licenses or applications where a valid representation has been made and not withdrawn.
Furthermore, the sub-committees will receive reports on the needs of the local tourist economy, the cultural strategy for the area, and the local employment situation. They will also consider measures to promote music, dancing, and theatre for wider cultural benefit.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, the committee will similarly make and review recommendations on the Statement of Licensing Policy and consider current licenses or applications where valid representations have been made.
Beyond the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005, the sub-committees will handle a range of other licensing matters. This includes considering and determining applications for registrations, permits, or licenses such as opposed applications for massage and special treatments, all applications for licenses for sex establishments, and applications for site licenses under the Caravan Sites and Central Development Act. They will also address opposed applications for approval of premises as a venue for civil weddings, applications for licenses to keep listed dangerous wild animals, revocation of existing licenses, and applications for Section 34 permits for new amusement arcades.
Once appointed, the membership of the sub-committees will be made public on the Council's website. The agenda frontsheet for the meeting also provides further context.
