NEWS RELEASES
New Chairman of Licensing Committee and consultation on Licensing Policy
13th June 2007
Cllr Christian Mitchell (Holbrook West) has been elected Chairman of the Licensing Committee.
Cllr Mitchell said: “The Licensing Act 2003 changed the way that businesses operate; this includes pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and take-aways. These premises now apply for licences to sell alcohol and late night refreshments as well as providing public entertainment facilities from Horsham District Council where until recently it was from the Magistrates’ Court.”
The Licensing Act 2003 requires Licensing Authorities to publish every three years a statement of their licensing policy. Applications for licences under the Act have to be made in accordance with the Licensing Authority’s Licensing Policy. The Council’s first Licensing Policy came into force on 7 January 2005 and therefore the Council has now to review the existing policy with a view to having a new policy in force by 7 January 2008.
The policy, which has to be approved by full Council (as the Licensing Authority), has to be the subject of public consultation and the comments received have to be taken into account before formally adopting the policy. In accordance with the requirements of the legislation the policy has to be published at least one month before it comes into force i.e. 7 January 2008.
Licensing Chairman Cllr Mitchell said:
“The draft policy will be sent to a wide range of consultees including: the police, fire service, Trading Standards, Social Services, Parish and Neighbourhood Councils; Licensed premises and Trade Representative bodies. The responses following the consultation will be analysed and be used to prepare a report for the Licensing Committee’s meeting on the 1 November 2007 with a final draft policy for the Committee to recommend to full Council on 5 December 2007 for adoption by the Council.”
“A sound Licensing Policy is vitally important as it ensures that that when determining applications that the correct balance is struck between businesses not being overburden by red-tape but whilst ensuring the prevention of crime and disorder; protecting public safety; preventing nuisance and disturbance and protecting children from harm.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Statement of Licensing Policy is used to make decisions on licence and notice applications made under the Act. The policy also explains the council’s aims when it comes to licensing and includes preventing crime and disorder, protecting public safety, preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm.
The Licensing Act 2003 means there will be a single system for licensing and Horsham District Council will be responsible for dealing with licensing functions for different activities:
- Retail sale and supply of alcohol
- Performance of a play
- Exhibition or a film
- Indoor sporting events
- Boxing or wrestling events
- Performing live music
- Dancing
- Providing facilities for making music or dancing
- Supplying hot food or drink after 11pm until 5am
- The Act also aims to offer a more flexible and responsive system of regulation.
On 7 June 2007 the Licensing Committee resolved to:
- Approve the Draft Licensing Policy set out at Appendix 1 to the report as a consultation draft, and
- Instruct the officers to consult for a period of three months on the draft policy with a deadline for responses of 1st October 2007, and
- Instruct the officers to bring a further report to the meeting of the Licensing Committee on the 1st November 2007 with the outcomes of the consultation and recommendations for a revised policy.
The draft will be sent to a wide range of consultees including:
- Statutory Consultees (Police, Fire, Trading Standards, Social Service)
- Members
- Parish and Neighbourhood Councils
- Licensed premises
- Trade Representative bodies
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk