DCMS: we will sort out the Act
Many of the remaining concerns about the new licensing regime will be addressed shortly, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) has declared.
Stuart Roberts from the DCMS licensing team told local authorities at the Institute of Licensing conference that the delayed guidance review will go out to a consultation in early December.
His comments come after a number of councils said last week they still had problems with some of the key elements of the Act (The Publican, November 20).
Leading licensing lawyer Jeremy Allen also told The Publican the Act needed to be amended as a matter of urgency. "It's a major piece of legislation that affected just about everybody and they didn't get it right the first time," he said.
Speaking at the conference in Brighton, Roberts said the new guidance would clarify a number of issues, including:
- the definition of "in the vicinity" of licensed premises blamed for disorder
- the cumulative impact of various premises in an area
- the format that should be taken of a designated premises supervisor's authorisation to serve alcohol
- the definition of incidental live music
- the possibility of distinguishing between major and minor variations to a premises licence.
The document will follow the results of a 'snapshot' survey among councils, due out shortly, and research into the impact of the new regime on live music.
Licensing would also be part of a broader regulation simplification plan to be published by the end of the year, he added, which could finally see the announcement of the
single annual fee date, as well as the waiving of the 10 days notice required for temporary events notices, and councils being given the power to simplify applications for variations to premises licences.
The DCMS is also looking at alternatives to the costly need to advertise premises licence applications.
"We want to continue to develop this regime," said Mr Roberts, adding that the department was "very pleased on several levels" with the law.
