Councillor Kwame Otiende has been appointed as the new Chair of Hackney Council's Licensing Committee, with Councillor Nicholas Blincoe set to serve as Vice Chair for the 2026/27 municipal year. These appointments were confirmed at the Licensing Committee meeting held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The appointments of Councillor Otiende and Councillor Blincoe were agreed by Full Council at its Annual Meeting on 28 May 2026. The 2026/27 municipal year is significant as it marks the period for which these leadership roles have been established, and also for the formation of the five Licensing Sub-Committees (A-E).
The Hackney Council's Licensing Committee is the statutory body responsible for developing and monitoring the Council's licensing functions. Its remit includes making recommendations on licensing and gambling policies, overseeing functions under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005. The committee also establishes and appoints Licensing Sub-Committees, which are tasked with determining specific applications and reviews. These sub-committees handle matters such as premises licences, club premises certificates, personal licences, and sex establishment licences, all with the overarching aim of promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
Further details regarding the committee's work and decisions can be found in the Public reports pack for the meeting held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The Agenda frontsheet for the same meeting is also available.