IPC raises concern about BBPA framework code

IPC representatives met with other organisations including the BII, Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) to discuss the strengthened code in a roundtable meeting.

The meeting was part of a deal between the Government and the BBPA to self-regulate the relationship between pubcos and tenants.

The Government snubbed the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee recommendation for a Statutory Code of Practice instead saying the current IFC will be strengthened and made legally binding. There are also plans to introduce a Pub Independent Conciliation Advisory Service and Pubs Advisory Service.

The IPC expressed concern that the improvements to the BBPA’s Framework code, implemented before Christmas 2011, were little more than rewording existing terms and that confusion still remained over the legality of the codes.

In December, the FLVA also expressed concern about the code and warned “much work remains to be done”.

In a statement the IPC also said it had “grave” concerns that an offer to engage in the planned reforms in September last year were not taken forward at the time. It said: “We trust that our offer of support made at the meeting will not be dismissed.”

Fair Pint, also present at the meeting also expressed concern that the meeting was little more than a “box ticking” exercise.

Steve Corbett of Fair Pint said: “To ensure the spirit of progressive reform and the rebalancing of risk and reward, it is essential that the industries progress and Governments Response is subject to a review in the Autumn. It has been a long and hard battle to get the trinkets of reform so far achieved and without addressing risk and reward little has really changed at ground level to individual licensees.”

Members of the IPC include the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, CAMRA, The Fair Pint Campaign, Federation of Small Business, Guild of Master Victuallers, Justice for Licensees, Unite the Union, Brighton and Hove Licensees Association and SIBA.

British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said:
“We have had a meeting, as we are keen to listen and work together constructively.
We are certainly not approaching these discussions as a box-ticking exercise. We have written back to confirm our understanding of how IPC thinks self-regulation might work better.”