NEWS RELEASES
Alcohol licences: Council to have a new role
16th January 2004
FOR many years the district council has been responsible for issuing and monitoring a wide range of licences, from taxis to street buskers, from charity collections and public entertainment to dangerous wild animals.
This year that role is to be extended to all premises that sell alcohol, a job that has been undertaken for generations by local magistrates.
The change is being promoted by the Government to streamline and to make the system more efficient. Anyone concerned with the selling of alcohol at pubs, nightclubs, off-licences, restaurants, hotels, clubs, and entertainment venues, will need to know about the new rules. Until now responsibilities have been split. Magistrates courts have been the sole issuers of drinks licences and their Brewster Sessions have been a significant date in the calendar. Local authorities have been responsible for public safety and music, singing and dancing licences.
Under the new Licensing Act 2003 these tasks will be merged under the control of local councils, with the role of magistrates being phased out. Once final details have been published by the Government there will be a short period for public consultation before the Act is implemented later this year.
There will be two types of licence, one for the premises where alcohol is sold, and another for managers. The new system should be easier to run, but there are going to be stricter rules applied to people serving behind the bar and those serving in shops and other outlets.
Someone applying for a Premises Licence will have to specify precisely what activities will be undertaken there, including sale of hot food late at night, provision of entertainment and proposed opening hours. Once granted, the Premises Licence will last for the life of the business and will require amendment only if change takes place. A fee will be payable with the licence.
It is likely that arrangements will have to be made for at least one Personal Licence holder to be on the premises during opening times. To secure a licence, the applicant must obtain a specific qualification related to the brewery trade, must pass successfully through police and criminal records checks and will also pay a fee, the amount still being decided. That licence will then remain valid for ten years unless there is a contravention.
One of the dramatic changes permitted by the new Act is 24 hour opening, though it is likely that many smaller businesses will not wish to take this up. At the moment there are 330 licensed premises in the Horsham district and it is expected that about 70 per cent of them will transfer over smoothly to the new system, however the remaining 30 per cent are likely to seek changes that will require applicants to vary their licence.
These will be dealt with by the council’s Licensing Committee which meets monthly, and in the event of a dispute applicants can appeal to the magistrates for a ruling.
More information is available from the council’s Environmental Health Department on (01403) 215100 or e-mail: environmentalservices@horsham.gov.uk
A wide range of different licences, covering such areas as street collections, animals and entertainment, can be found on the council’s website.
Ends
Councillor Vivien Lyth, The Chairman, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RH.
E-mail: contactchairman@horsham.gov.uk
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
(01403 215549)