The Tower Hamlets Licensing Committee has appointed seven councillors to serve as chairs of its licensing sub-committees, which will be responsible for handling licensing applications where representations have been made. The decision was made during a meeting held on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.

The Licensing Committee itself is responsible for determining licensing policy and procedure, as well as licensing fees and charges. It establishes Licensing Sub-Committees to consider licensing matters under the Licensing Act 2003, specifically when objections or relevant representations have been made.

Police and security personnel engaging with the public at a stall in Canary Wharf, likely related to late-night economy initiatives.
Police and security personnel engaging with the public at a stall in Canary Wharf, likely related to late-night economy initiatives.

Councillor Peter Golds, Chair of the Licensing Committee, proposed that experienced members should initially lead these sub-committees. The specific criteria for chairing in this initial cycle were based on experience, with Councillor Golds nominating Councillor Sabina Akhtar and Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain, stating they have chaired meetings consistently for several years. He also nominated himself and Vice-Chair Councillor Suluk Ahmed.

However, Councillor Abdul Wahid suggested that newer members should also be given opportunities to gain experience. This concern was acknowledged by Councillor Golds, who stated, I do agree with experienced members, but I might add that it might be good to get the new members to join, and what I can do is obviously circulate membership accordingly once the experienced members have sat with the new members just to get some experience. Councillor Rupert George also voiced a concern about potential legal pitfalls, advising, it will be worth going with the experienced counsellors for the first cycle, then gradually working your way in. But I will be worried about suddenly offering to do something and then finding yourself with David Dads sitting on the other side.

Following discussions, the committee agreed to appoint Councillor Peter Golds, Councillor Suluk Ahmed, Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain, Councillor Rupert George, Councillor Abdul Mannan, and Councillor Victoria Lupton as licensing sub-committee chairs.

More information on the committee's proceedings can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.

Public awareness posters regarding spiking and hate crime in Tower Hamlets.
Public awareness posters regarding spiking and hate crime in Tower Hamlets.

A street scene in Tower Hamlets, potentially illustrating the late-night economy discussed in the meeting.
A street scene in Tower Hamlets, potentially illustrating the late-night economy discussed in the meeting.