Decision - Review of Statement of Licensing Policy 2026

2.1 That Committee agreed the revisions to the Statement of Licensing Policy (appendix A) incorporating the main revisions as follow. 2.1.1 Replace the current Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) with a City Safety Area (CSA). Detailed in 3.1 of the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP) 2.1.2 Retain the current Special Stress Area (SSA) and other areas. (detailed at 3.3 of the draft SoLP) 2.1.3 A focus on safety as the central priority and introduction of a new set of best practice measures for the CSA and SSA which can be found in the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP) Appendix A. 2.1.4 Update the current Matrix approach and table to include new categories of premises including Grassroots Music Venues and changes to the hours for some types of premises which can be found at 3.4 in the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP) 2.1.5 Introduce a 'Good Operator Policy' which can be found at 3.5 in the revised Statement of Licensing Policy 2.1.6 Update nighttime economy safeguarding initiatives see section 4 of the policy. Add to the policy sections on LGBTQ+ venues and inclusivity at 1.9. Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), at 4.1 Modern Slavery at 1.12 and Martyn's Law at 7.1.5. 2.2 That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy was referred to Full Council for adoption. See Appendix A for a copy of the revised statement of licensing policy.

This consultation seeks views on proposed changes to Brighton & Hove’s licensing policy for 2026 to 2031. The proposals would replace the Cumulative Impact Zone with a City Safety Area, revise venue categories and operating hours, and introduce stronger safety, inclusion and safeguarding requirements.