District Licensing Committee

The DLC must consist of three members appointed by the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (Council). The Council must appoint one member as the Chairperson, and that person must either be a member of the Council or a Commissioner appointed to the DLC by the Chief Executive Officer of the Council on the recommendation of the Council. 

The other two members of the DLC must be appointed from the Council’s list2 of persons approved to be members of the District Licensing Committee. 

The Council may also appoint a member of the Council to act as a Deputy Chairperson, to act in place of the Chairperson. This is to allow for times when the Chairperson is unable to act due to illness, absence, or other sufficient reason. 

Appointment of the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson shall be by Resolution of the Council. 

If the Chairperson, or the Deputy Chairperson, cease to be an elected member of Council then they will cease to be the Chairperson of this Committee. 

As and when required 

A Quorum of the Committee may consist of the Chairperson sitting alone to determine uncontested applications. Where objections are received to an application, then the quorum must consist of the full three-member committee. 

The DLC is responsible for considering and determining all applications, and renewals, for Liquor Licences and Managers Certificates. The Committee is also responsible for the consideration and determination of Temporary Authorities and Special Licences made under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (SSLA). 

Administer the Council’s alcohol licensing framework as determined by the SSLA. 

The Committee may make recommendations to Council. While the DLC is a committee of Council and receives Council administrative support, it operates as an independent quasi-judicial body. DLC decisions can be appealed to the Alcohol and Regulatory Licensing Authority (ARLA). 

The power to make decisions on Liquor licenses, Managers Certificates, Temporary Authorities and Special Licences are set out in the SSLA. 

Appointments to the Committee of the other members shall be made through an Appointments Committee process that: 

The Council considers that, in addition to the statutory requirements, any person that it appoints to the Committee should also possess: 

The Council may at any time remove a member of the DLC for inability to perform the functions of office, bankruptcy, neglect of duty, or misconduct, proved to the Council’s satisfaction. 

Members of the District Licensing Committee are required to complete both on-line training provided by LGNZ and attend any other relevant training offered through the District Licensing Committee (DLC) Network.