DCMS plans changes to streamline Licensing Act

The Government is planning major changes to the Licensing Act to streamline the application process for pubs. The plan would make it easier and cheaper to secure minor licence variations, which could be advertised by mailshot instead of in newspapers.

Licence forms would be simplified and available online, and hosts would no longer have to send forms to seven different authorities.

The proposals are contained in the simplification plan released this week by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

The plan lists ways to reduce the administrative burden of licensing over the next few years, either by changing the Licensing Act itself through secondary legislation or fast-tracking changes using Regulatory Reform Orders.

The DCMS will also push for a single licence fee renewal date and give more discretion to local authorities to waive fees in certain cases, such as public events.

It will also consider fee exemptions and reductions for some groups, although this is unlikely to affect pubs.

Bar Entertainment and Dance Association (BEDA) executive director Paul Smith said: "We are happy that the main points we were lobbying on were taken on board."

Smith was particularly keen on the new provision for "Minor Variations", which offers a "streamlined and low-cost route" to vary a licence so long as it doesn't impact on the four licensing objectives.

MA legal expert Peter Coulson said: "A lot of these proposals are logical developments that really need to be done to take some of the burden off licensees."

But he added: "The question is: when they are going to do it? The tendency is for the DCMS to drag its heels."

The DCMS said the

changes will follow "extensive stakeholder and public

consultation".

DPS Debate

DCMS plans to put an end to the debate about whether the designated premises supervisor (DPS) must be on site whenever alcohol is served.

The Simplification Plan says Government will "clarify requirements made of the DPS and personal licence holder in relation to authorisation of sales of alcohol". Police in Barnsley, South Yorks, and Cannock Chase, Birmingham, have ordered pubs to shut when the DPS was not on-site.

Key changes

1. Minor Variations Changes to licences not impacting on the four licensing objectives can go via streamlined, low-cost route.

CHANGE DUE: 2008/09

2. Licensing forms Reduce and clarify

application forms; implement internet-based "e-forms". Councils will copy to authorities. CHANGE DUE: 2007/08

3. Newspaper ads Reconsider need to advertise licence applications and

variations in newspapers; perhaps limit need to advertise and consider alternatives. CHANGE DUE: 2007/08

4. Fees Single licence-fee renewal date,

exemptions and reductions for certain groups and clarification of what fees cover. CHANGE DUE: autumn 2007 or 2008

5. Premises plans Clarify requirement to submit plans with applications.

CHANGE DUE - 2007/2008