LAs' failure to consult on licensing reform alarms trade

The trade has been rocked by research that shows 10 per cent of local authorities are failing to consult with licensees on their plans for licensing reform.

According to a report from public sector firm QA Research, around 30 local authorities in England and Wales have not met statutory requirements on the consultation as set out in the new Licensing Act.

The Act requires that local authorities must consult with "statutory partners" including police and licensees before they put their local policy in place.

After quizzing 234 councils QA found that while 90 per cent had made efforts to speak to licensees, a quarter of this group were still not doing all they are legally required to at this stage. This could leave their policy open to challenge in court.

Alistair Turnham, author of the report, said: "Time is running out for these authorities to establish dialogue."

Christine Milburn of the British Beer & Pub Association added: "Our research shows that five per cent have not met their statutory requirements. But what is more concerning is that the authorities will be putting draft licensing policies out for consultation without sufficient time for people to respond."

Bill Sharp, licensee of the Kings Arms in Southwark, London, said: "My local authority has not contacted me and I can well believe other authorities are not up to speed, they need to get their fingers out. Time is of the essence and a rush job is a botch job."

And licensing officers have been shocked by the statistics.

Caroline Steven, licensing officer at Wycombe District Council, said: "It's very worrying if they haven't done anything by now. We've gone out of our way to include as many people as we can, others should be doing the same."

John McNamara, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping, said he was horrified by the statistics but urged licensees to be more proactive. "It's essential that licensees get involved," he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, added: "The deadline for the local authorities to have their policy confirmed is January 7, a month before the first appointed day, and we expect all local authorities to be ready. Any that have not consulted yet will be doing so very soon."

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