LAs could introduce 'nuisance taxes'
Local authorities across the country could introduce "nuisance taxes" to top up their licence fee.
Although it is understood that councils will have to charge a national fee for a licence when the new Licensing Bill is brought in, many believe they will need to raise extra funds to pay for extra police, street cleaning and CCTV.
And it is feared that Middlesbrough Council's controversial planning policy to introduce a "nuisance tax" for new pubs opening up in the town may lead the way for other councils looking to raise extra funds.
Planning officials at the local authority are going ahead with their plan to introduce a fee for new town centre applications, which could cost licensees anything up to £8,500.
In the latest development, the council has approved an application from the Psyche Group to open a new wine bar - but at the same time has said it will cost the company £4,000.
This is to pay for extra CCTV, policing and rubbish clearing, the council claims.
Gareth Hunter, planning official at the council, confirmed there were at least a dozen other neighbouring councils interested in the scheme.
"Neighbouring authorities have been contacting us because they are interested in what our policy is trying to achieve," he said.
He refused to say which councils had shown a particular interest.
Mark Hastings, spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association, slammed the move.
"Pubs already pay significant amounts in tax to both local and central government to supply these services," he said. "It'll be interesting to see if they charge restaurants and take-away outlets and, if so, how much they charge them in comparison."
Spokeswoman for the British Institute of Innkeeping Caroline Nodder agreed.
"Pubs already pay more than their fare share of taxes," she said.
"It's a concern that if councils find their local fees capped by the government they will find other ways to raise funds, perhaps through planning."
Related articles:
Pubs to be charged for council services (5 September 2002)
