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at meetings will usually be introduced by a Lead Officer or Member. Following that introduction the Chair will invite Members of the Committee/Sub-Committee to ask questions or seek clarifications.

is not required on most items of business at Committee/Sub-Committee meetings. However, as a general principle the Council welcomes public engagement and where the Chair considers it beneficial, they can invite non-Committee Councillors, residents, external experts and others to address the meeting about an existing item on the agenda in a manner they determine (or if no other procedure is identified, through a three-minute speech).

Conduct at Meetings

Members of the press and public are permitted to film, audio record, take photographs or make use of social media (tweet/blog) at Council and Committee meetings provided that this does not disturb the business of the meeting. If a person wishes to film a particular meeting, please liaise with the Council Officer listed on the front of the Agenda prior to the start of the meeting so that the Speaker or Chair is aware and those attending the meeting can be made aware of any filming taking place.

The Council will webcast most of its Committee/Sub-Committee meetings for publication via the Council’s webcast portal. Cameras will be focussed on those participating in the meeting but anyone present may be filmed.

The Audit Committee may choose to appoint an Independent Person (IP) to advise and support the Committee. The IP will not be a member of the Audit Committee but would be entitled to attend all the meetings and associated training of the Committee. The IP can receive and comment on any reports submitted to the Committee, including restricted agenda items.

The meetings are an opportunity for councillors to make a decision based on the points of view of all relevant parties.

These Procedures, therefore, set out the way in which Licensing Committee Meetings will be conducted under the Licensing Act 2003, following the requirements of the Hearings Regulations.

A Councillor who is not on the Committee but who is at one of its meetings should normally sit apart from the Committee to demonstrate that they are not taking part in the discussion, consideration or vote. They should not communicate with Councillors on the Committee or pass papers or documents to them before or during the meeting. They may not attend briefings or accompany the Committee if it retires to deliberate in private.

In order that licensing procedures are undertaken properly and that any complaints can be fully investigated, record keeping will be complete and accurate. Every licensing application file will contain an accurate account of events throughout its life, particularly the outcomes of meetings, significant telephone conversations and any declarations of interests by Councillors. Records will be kept in accordance with the Council’s Information Governance Framework and, specifically, the Council’s Records Management Policy.