Councils hail benefits of new licensing laws
A group of local councils has hailed the Licensing Act as a success, according to a new report published today.
But the 10 Scrutiny Councils, who began work last November, have recommended some areas for improvement.
The councils were asked to identify good practice, capture licensing statistics and make practical recommendations on how the guidance to local authorities and police could be improved.
They found that:
- residents are now far more aware of their rights with regard to licensed premises
- licensees are more aware of their responsibilities;
- the police, fire service and other responsible authorities are engaging in the process and are making representations in a way that helps licensed premises;
- police are increasingly using the enforcement powers under the Act to deal with problem premises;
- in many areas the Act has helped the various local authorities to work better together.
Licensing Minister, Shaun Woodward said: "This report is encouraging. It shows that residents are engaging in the licensing process - and their concerns are being taken seriously.
"What is particularly significant is that the application process weeded out rogue premises. It made problem venues smarten up their act in order to get a new licence and it
made licensees take their responsibilities far more seriously.
"Of course it is still early days and it's too early to draw firm conclusions about the impact of the Act.
"But as this is the biggest shake up of the licensing laws in more than 40 years, it stands to reason that there are going to be some improvements that can be made.
"We will be taking the councils' recommendations on board as we re-draft the guidance for police and local authorities and in our wider monitoring and evaluation of the Act."
