Licensing and Corporate Business Committee - Tuesday, 16th June, 2026 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th March, 2026 and the Special Meeting of the Committee on 18th March, 2026 (copies attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 5th March, 2026 and the Special Meeting of the Committee on 18th March, 2026 were agreed and signed as a correct record of the proceedings.

To consider the Leader of the Council’s Report No. MD2602 (copy attached), which sets out proposed Local Government Reorganisation interim ward arrangements for the new North Hampshire Council in response to Government. The Committee is asked to consider options for recommendation to the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 18th June.

The Committee considered the Leader of the Council’s Report No. MD2603, which presented options on interim warding arrangements for the new North Hampshire Council in response to the Government and preparations for local government reorganisation. 

 

It was noted that the interim warding arrangements should reflect local communities and would be implemented for the elections to the shadow North Hampshire Council in May 2027. The interim ward boundaries would remain in place until the permanent arrangements were independently reviewed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, which would take place after the new Council had legally formed in April 2028.

 

The Report set out the basis on which the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had asked for proposed interim ward arrangements – and it was noted that the councils forming the new authority had been asked to work to a total unitary council membership of 85 councillors, unless there was a strong reason for a different number.

 

Initial work carried out between the councils had indicated that a total council membership of 88 councillors would give a fairer representation across North Hampshire than 85 councillors. In this way, a series of options based on both 85 and 88 councillors had been prepared by officers, as attached to the report, which involved the merging of existing wards in varying combinations.

 

During consideration of the report, the point was raised that while a total membership of either 85 or 88 councillors would allow both Basingstoke and Hart councils to keep their existing wards and adjust the number of representatives, that would not be possible for Rushmoor. For Rushmoor to achieve its share of the 85 or 88 councillors it was necessary to combine wards to achieve fair electoral representation.

 

The strong view of the Committee was a preference to keep the current ward boundaries in Rushmoor intact. Members emphasised that it would make the new arrangements for elections to shadow councils easier for residents to understand and trust if using boundaries that residents were already familiar with. There was concern that if the council proposed to change its own boundaries by joining wards, it could lead people to think that the changes lacked impartiality.  

 

The Committee therefore supported an interim warding arrangement based on maintaining the 13 wards in Rushmoor and, following a proposal and discussion, endorsed an alternative option to be recommended to the Council which proposed an interim warding arrangement based on 108 councillors for the new North Hampshire Council, in place of the options for either 85 or 88 councillors. 

 

This would deliver representation of 26 councillors for the Rushmoor area, with each of the existing 13 wards represented by 2 councillors. Basingstoke and Hart would also have a fair share of councillors with Basingstoke having 53 councillors, and Hart having 29 councillors. Any permanent change would then be made by the Boundary Commission. 

 

A proposal was also tabled that the Council should make a representation relating to 26 Members in its own area and not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To consider the Leader of the Council Report No. MD2603 (copy attached), which seeks approval for arrangements to make a permanent appointment of the Head of Paid Service.

The Committee considered the Leader of the Council’s Report No. MD2603, which sought approval for the proposed processes for the permanent appointment of the Council’s Head of Paid Service.

 

The report proposed the establishment of a Member Assessment Panel to consider the permanent appointment of the Council’s Head of Paid Service subject to a satisfactory review of performance by the Panel.

 

In accordance with the Council’s Officer Employment Rules, the Committee was requested to appoint a cross-party Member Panel, to include the Leader of the Council, the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Corporate Services and the leaders of the other political groups. The Panel would be held week beginning 27th June with a Special Meeting of the Committee planned for 1st July to consider the recommendation from the Panel and to make a recommendation to the Council on 2nd July. 

 

The Committee RESOLVED that

 

(i)                     the proposed processes for the permanent appointment of the Council’s Head of Paid Service, as set out in Report No. MD2603, be noted; and

 

(ii)                    the establishment of a cross-party Member Assessment Panel, to include the Leader of the Council, the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Corporate Services and the leaders of the other political groups, to consider the permanent appointment of the Council’s Head of Paid Service, be approved.

To consider the Executive Head of Operation’s Report No. OS2613 (copy attached), which proposes an amendment to the Scheme of Delegation related to responsibilities delegated to the Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments).

The Committee considered the Executive Head of Operations’ Report No. OS2613, which set out a proposal to update the Council’s Constitution / Scheme of Delegation in relation to the process of addition of conditions to Temporary Event Notices (TENs).

 

The Committee was informed that the current process meant that, where it was proposed to add conditions to TEN applications, even if all parties agreed to the conditions, it was necessary to convene a Sub-Committee meeting to agree these additions. The new arrangements would mean the officers would be able to add these without the need for a Sub-Committee meeting. 

 

Members expressed support for the proposed new arrangements that would make the processing of TEN applications more efficient and effective.

 

The Committee RESOLVED that the table in the Council’s Constitution at Part 3, Section 4, Para 4.3.2 (licensing of alcohol, entertainment and late-night refreshment) be updated to add to the listing ‘Determination of a police or Environmental Health objection to a standard temporary event notice’ where it is not appropriate to add conditions under S106A of the Licensing Act 2003.

(1)  Outside Bodies

 

To consider the appointment of representatives to outside bodies.  A list of those bodies on which the Council is represented, which includes details of proposed nominations for 2026/27 is attached with the agenda.

 

(2)  Appointments and Appeals Panels –

 

To confirm that the Corporate Manager - Democracy is authorised to make appointments to Appointments and Appeals Panels set up on behalf of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, in accordance with the membership criteria set out in the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

 

(3)  Licensing Sub-Committee

 

To confirm the Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee for the 2026/27 Municipal Year based on five Members (Proposed: 2 Lab: 1 Con: 1 Reform: 1 Others).

 

(4)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments)

 

To confirm that the Corporate Manager - Democracy is authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

 

(5)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis)

 

To confirm that the Corporate Manager – Democracy is authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

 

(6)  Constitution Working Group –

 

To appoint a cross-party Constitution Working Group for 2026/27 to meet as needed. The appointments to be made based on six Members including the Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility, the Chair or vice-chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, and representatives of other groups.

 

(7) Champion Roles –

 

To consider the nominations and make a recommendation to the Council for the appointment and terms of reference for the following Champion roles. Details of proposed nominations and draft terms of reference are attached with the agenda. 

 

·         Pride in Place for 2026/27

·         Armed Forces Covenant for two years from 2026/27

(1)  Outside Bodies

 

RESOLVED:  That the appointment of representatives to outside bodies for the 2026/26 Municipal Year, as set out in the attached Appendix be approved.

 

(2)  Appointments and Appeals Panels –

 

RESOLVED: That the Corporate Manager - Democracy be authorised to make appointments to Appointments and Appeals Panels in accordance with the criteria set out in the Officer Employment Procedure Rules.

 

(3)  Licensing Sub-Committee

 

RESOLVED: That the following Members be appointed to serve on the Licensing Sub-Committee for the 2026/27 Municipal Year, on the basis of five Members (2 Labour: 1 Conservative: 1 ‘Others’ Group: 1 Reform):

 

Labour Group:  Cllrs Rhian Jones and Sarah Spall

 

Conservative Group: Cllr Sue Carter

 

‘Others’ Group: Cllr C.W. Card

 

Reform Group: Cllr Kevin Betsworth

 

(4)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments)

 

RESOLVED: That the Corporate Manager - Democracy be authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

 

(5)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis)

 

RESOLVED: That the Corporate Manager – Democracy be authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

 

(6)  Constitution Working Group           -

 

RESOLVED: That the following Members be appointed to serve on the Constitution Working Group for the 2026/27 Municipal Year, on the basis of seven Members (Cabinet Member with responsibility: Chair of LCB: 1 Labour: 2 Conservative: 1 ‘Others’ Group: 1 Reform):

 

Portfolio Holder: Cllr Sophie Porter

 

Chair of Licensing and Corporate Business Committee: Cllr Sarah Spall

 

Labour Group:  Cllr Bill O’Donovan

 

Conservative Group: Cllrs Steve Harden and Gareth Lyon

 

‘Others’ Group: Cllr Calum Stewart

 

Reform Group: Cllr Kevin Betsworth

 

(7)  Champion Roles

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL:  That the following Members be appointed to serve as Council Champions, and with the Champion priorities as set out in the report:

 

·         Cllr Lisa Greenway be appointed to the role of Champion for Pride in Place for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

 

·         Cllr Steve Masterson be appointed to the role of Armed Forces Covenant Champion for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 Municipal Years.

To consider resolving that, subject to the public interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting during the discussion of the undermentioned item to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 indicated against such item:

 

Item No.        Para. No.       Category

                       

7                      1                     Information relating to an individual       

 

RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned item to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the item:

 

Minute No.    Para. No.       Category

                       

   7                       1                      Information relating to an individual   

To consider the Corporate Manager – Democracy’s Exempt Report No. DEM2610 (copy attached), with an update on proposals for the conferment of the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough and to submit the appropriate recommendation to an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.

The Committee considered the Corporate Manager – Democracy’s Exempt Report No. DEM2605(A), which outlined nominations received for the conferment of the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough.

 

Further to discussion on the update, an alternative proposal was raised by Members for which there was consensus within the Committee. However, there was a need to confer with Group Leaders to ensure the requisite cross-council support at the extraordinary council meeting which would bestow the Honorary roles.       

 

The Committee RESOLVED that the decision be deferred to consult on the Committee’s revised proposal, with an update to be given at the meeting on 1st July.