Councils want licence review right

Local councils should be able to call for a licence review and have the chance to reject Temporary Events Notices (TENs).

That is what council leaders told the Culture, Media and Sport select committee inquiry into the Licensing Act. They also want the Government to reimburse the £102m implementation costs and the power to suspend licences where annual fees have not been paid.

"There is a missing piece in the legislation in that it is not the role of the licensing authority to call for a review," said Chris White of the Local Government Association (LGA).

Council leaders said that they knew their communities better than anyone and so should have the ability to call for a review. "Licensing authorities should have the ability to call for a review of the licence," said Patrick Crowley of Kensington and Chelsea council.

Lacors chairman Geoffrey Theobald added: "It's ludicrous. We should be able to comment."

Council leaders also bemoaned the fact that the Government had promised them they would be cost neutral in terms of implementation costs but so far the Elton Report has only promised them £43m back. They claim the costs are nearer to £102m.

The police would also like to be given up to five working days to consider TEN applications - currently they have 48 hours - and for local authorities and residents to be allowed to have their say. "If it comes in on a Friday evening, there are times when the licensing officer may not be back until Monday," said Adrian Studd of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Neutral impact​

Overall, council leaders and police said the impact of the Licensing Act on crime and disorder had been "fairly neutral".

Theobold added: "It has improved local partnership and there are some advantages such as we can work quickly to close premises as it was a very rigid system before and we can apply conditions such as door supervisors and cameras."

Police representatives also said a wider cultural change was needed for further improvement rather than more legislation.

Police concerns centred mostly around resource stretching caused by extended opening hours as officers are having to work later through the night.

The off-trade also got a bashing from the councillors with Theobald claiming there are now too many off-trade outlets selling alcohol. White added: "If you want to get drunk you go to the supermarket."