Member Article

Businesses to have say on licensing

A North East authority is giving businesses in the region the chance to have a say on a review of Licensing Policies.

Durham County Council is giving businesses and members of the public the chance to give their input before its Statement of Licensing Policy is reviewed next year.

The policy affects all activities and premises within the county subject to licensing under the Licensing Act 2003 and covers areas including the sale and supply of alcohol in pubs and clubs, late night refreshment and the provision of regulated entertainment.

The authority’s current policy was agreed in December 2010 and is now being updated to take into account recent changes in legislation.

Durham County Council is proposing to include the following updates to the current policy;

• Authorised licensing hours: a new section about the approach the authority will take in relation to licensing hours based on the location and type of premise.

• Early Morning Restriction Orders (EMROS): information about orders, which are available to restrict the sale of alcohol between midnight and 6.00am to tackle high levels of alcohol-related crime and disorder.

• Late night levy: information on the late night levy, a discretionary power to charge a fee to businesses that sell alcohol between midnight and 6.00am to fund night time policing costs.

Other proposals for the current policy include the use of specimen licence conditions, requirements for takeaway businesses, the role of councillors in the licensing process and information about appeals and complaints. Owen Cleugh, consumer protection manager for the authority, said: “The Licensing Act 2003 requires us to regularly review our statement of licensing policy to ensure the needs of businesses and demand for leisure and cultural activities are balanced with the protection of the public.

“We would encourage anyone who has a view on licensing activities in County Durham to respond to the consultation proposals.”

For further information and to have your say using the online survey, please visit www.durham.gov.uk/consultations.

The consultation is open until Thursday January 2, 2014.

Alternatively, paper copies of the survey are available by contacting the Licensing Team on 03000 265 104 or via email at licensing@durham.gov.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .