Licensing policies in consultation

Public consultation on the Gambling Act Policy Statement

The Isle of Wight Council’s Gambling Act Policy Statement is currently being reviewed. The Licensing Authority is required to regularly review the policy to set out the principles it will apply in regulating gambling activities locally and, considering the local risks, clarify the authority’s expectations of gambling operators.

The council is seeking responses from those who may be affected by the changes

  • responsible authorities
  • local people
  • businesses
  • other organisations

You can comment on the documents in the following ways

  1. Email your comments to licensing@iow.gov.uk (enter ‘Gambling Act Consultation’ in the email subject box)
  2. Write to us at: FAO: Licensing Team, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD
Download reviewed Gambling Act 2005 Policy Statement 2025 - 2028 (PDF, 468KB)


The consultation opened on 4 December 2024

The consultation closes on 1 January 2025

Public consultation on the Sex Establishment Licensing Policy

Sex Establishment Licensing Policy – Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 – Schedule 3 Police and Crime Act 2009 – Section 27

The Isle of Wight Council’s Sex Establishment Licensing Policy is currently being reviewed. The Licensing Authority is required to regularly review the policy to include guide applicants through the Licensing process and to assist councillors in their decision making with regards to permitting Sex Establishments.

As part of the review process the Licensing Authority is required to provide a consultation period to seek the views of the; Responsible Authorities, local residents and businesses that may be affected by the changes included in the policy.

You can comment on the documents in the following ways:

  1. Complete an online survey about the Isle of Wight Council’s Sex Establishment Licensing Policy, Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 – Schedule 3 – Policing and Crime Act 2009 – Section 27
  2. Email your comments to licensing@iow.gov.uk. Please enter ‘Sex Establishment Consultation’ in the email subject box.
  3. Or write to us at: FAO: Licensing Team, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD

Consultation opened: Friday 8 March 2024

Consultation closed: Friday 5 April 2024

Please note that representations received cannot be treated as confidential.

Public consultation on the Street Furniture Licensing Policy

The Isle of Wight Council’s Street Furniture Licensing Policy needs to update the authority's Highway Permissions Policy.

The aim is to support businesses to understand where they can place objects or structures on the highway.

The council sought responses from those who may be affected by the changes:

  • responsible authorities
  • local people
  • businesses
  • other organisations

The consultation opened on 15 January 2024

The consultation closed on 25 February 2024

Public consultation on Revised Statement of Licensing Policy

The Isle of Wight Council invited local people and businesses to comment on its draft licensing policy – the document that describes how the council will continue to exercise its powers under the Licensing Act 2003.

The policy gives clear guidance of the authority's policies and expectations to licence holders, applicants, and people who may comment on licence applications or seek reviews of licences.

Legally, the council is obliged to consider the Statement of Licensing Policy when deciding opposed licence applications or applications for review. If any of our decisions are appealed to a magistrates' court, the court must also consider the policy when deciding whether the original decision was correct.

The draft proposed policy largely mirrors the existing policy which has generally worked well in promoting the licensing objectives across the Island.

The consultation opened on Tuesday 5 September 2023

The consultation closed on Tuesday 17 October 2023