The Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Panel fulfills the functions of the Licensing Authority in relation to the licensing of premises.

A procedure has been agreed which governs how the Panel will consider such applications.

Decisions made by the Panel will be under delegated authority and will not require to be referred to the Council for approval. Meetings are controlled by the Chair, who is responsible for seeing that the business on the agenda is dealt with properly.

The Council is concerned to ensure that its meetings are as open as possible and confidential business is kept to the strict minimum. When confidential items are involved these are considered at the end of the meeting at which point members of the public are asked to leave.