Wokingham licensing committee meets with no business on agenda

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 12:32 · Archive

Wokingham Borough Council held a licensing committee meeting on 28 October with only procedural items and no substantive business.

Wokingham Borough Council held a licensing committee meeting on 28 October that lasted under 13 minutes. The only items on the agenda were approval of minutes from the previous meeting and appointment of a chair and deputy chair.

Councillor Rachel Burgess said she felt 'really uncomfortable' that democratic services had been asked to set up the meeting, room and technology when there was no substantive business to discuss. She noted that electing a chair who would receive additional pay despite having nothing to preside over would 'look terrible' to the public.

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen described the meeting as 'ridiculous', highlighting that it required attendance from a lawyer, three officers, 11 councillors, two security staff and full room setup for procedural items only.

The Licensing Committee is responsible for setting rules regulating taxis, late-night food businesses, alcohol sales and other matters across Wokingham, Woodley, Earley and surrounding areas. The committee has met infrequently over the past two years.

How it is being reported

• Councillors left feeling 'uncomfortable' at 'ridiculous' meetingCouncillors were left feeling 'really uncomfortable' while attending a meeting that was described as 'ridiculous', lasting less than 13 minutes.Reading Chronicle · 13 Nov, 12:24
• Councillors left feeling 'uncomfortable' at 'ridiculous' meetingCouncillors were left feeling 'really uncomfortable' while attending a meeting that was described as 'ridiculous', lasting less than 13 minutes.Bracknell News · 13 Nov, 12:24

In this story: Wokingham Borough Council · Rachel Burgess · Pauline Jorgensen · Wokingham

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