Live Music Forum calls for clarity on guidance

The guidance for the Licensing Act was passed in Parliament last week.

This gives the go-ahead for local authorities to put together their new licensing policies and pinpoints September or October 2005 as the likely date for implementation of the new Act.

Despite the fact that the guidance, which will detail the procedures for implementing the Act, has been passed there is still some confusion among licensees.

This was emphasised at the Live Music Forum earlier this month when it considered the impact of the new guidance on live music in pubs.

Feargal Sharkey, the singer and chairman of the Live Music Forum, said the guidance was confusing and licensees would have to work with local authorities to develop some clarity.

Under the new guidance there is still confusion, particularly with areas such as "incidental music", which is not clearly defined.

It is also unclear what a "private event" is as the Act clearly states licensees need a licence when a performer is paid by an audience but the guidance gives examples when such occasions are exempt.

Mr Sharkey said: "We must get past this and do all that we can to ensure music can flourish in pubs and at a grassroots level. Over the next six to seven months we will promote access to live music. Pubs, promoters and performers have an opportunity here to build a legacy for live music that can last for decades."

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport says it expects details of fees to be available shortly.