However in any normal local authority committee members would be well aware that their tenure of committee membership would be very short-lived if the committee did not act in accordance with the published council policy.

Why should the committee follow their own policy when the senior officers do not? My council's elected members do exactly what these officers tell them.

I am prepared to accept that my local authority is comprised of a strange bunch of officers and members (especially after this latest meeting). However, I am less sure - as I have seen very little evidence of this - that there are any "normal" ones - anywhere.

How is everyone else faring with their local Licensing Policy?