Liquor Licensing
Chairman: Susanna FitzGerald QC
|
![[images/suzanna fitzgerald] Suzanna Fitzgerald](image/headshots/suzanna fitzgerald "[images/suzanna fitzgerald] Suzanna Fitzgerald")
|
The next Licensing Working Group meeting will be on Monday 25th January 2010 at 10.30
at 1 Essex Court, Temple, London EC4
The BISL Liquor Licensing Working Group benefits from the knowledge of leading representatives from the legal world who attend alongside the operators. The group provides the perfect forum for interaction between industry operators and experienced licensing lawyers and has been the guiding hand behind BISL’s lobbying successes, particularly in relation to the Licensing Act 2003, subsequent amendments and new legislation such as the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.
Current issues on the Licensing agenda:
- Minor Variations
- DCMS is currently reviewing responses including that of BISL to its consultation on introducing a Minor Variation process for licences under the Licensing Act 2003. An Order is expected to be laid in Parliament in the autumn, coming into effect in early 2009.
- Select Committee Inquiry into the Licensing Act 2003
- The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has announced an inquiry into the effect of the Licensing Act 2003. The inquiry will particularly focus on:
- Whether there has been any change in levels of public nuisance, numbers of night-time offences or perceptions of public safety since the Act came into force;
- The impact of the Act on the performance of live music;
- The financial impact of the Act on sporting and social clubs;
- Whether the Act has led, or is likely to lead, to a reduction in bureaucracy for those applying for licences and for those administering the new regime;
- Whether the anticipated financial savings for relevant industries will be realised.
- BISL is submitting evidence to the inquiry and welcomes input from members.
- Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy
- The media has fuelled growing negative perceptions about the rise of alcohol-related crime and health problems. BISL will continue to voice the concerns of industry at the highest level that knee-jerk policies with sweeping scope will only harm the hospitality sector rather than tackling the underlying cultural problems.
- The Department of Health and Home Office have responded to this agenda by publishing a series of reviews on alcohol, including on pricing and promotion and the industry’s social responsibility standards document.
- BISL is responding to the Department of Health’s “Safe, Sensible, Social – consultation on further action” and would welcome input from members.
- Alcohol Disorder Zones
- Local Authorities now have the option of introducing Alcohol Disorder Zones under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006. BISL continues to support and argue for increased use of the partnership approach incorporated in Business Improvement Districts.
- Scores on the Doors
- BISL has responded to the Food Standards Agency’s “Scores on the Doors” consultation about a scheme to provide consumers with information on hygiene standards in food businesses. BISL has supported a two-tier “pass/improvement needed” scheme. [link to BISL response]
