Penny Black - perhaps you could provide me with an answer?

I have no wish to see these things prevented elsewhere but if they are a regulated entertainment as defined in the Act - why should these take place and my local sessions be prevented?

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and why should amplification make any difference?

Because for the first time the words of licensing legislation make a distinction and specifically refer to music that is not amplified. In S177 it states the limited conditions that can be placed on such an activity.

The objection that causes most concern is one to noise. Much non-amplified music has been prevented or limited in the past along with amplified music because no distinction appeared in the licensing legislation.

so your complaint is that live music can't continue after 11.00pm?

No -

It is that extended hours were granted despite valid objections but actities that did not receive any reported objections had conditions imposed upon them, limiting the time they had to cease. This is exceeding their remit.

Indoor sports (like darts) and live music had to stop at 11pm and recorded music was thought OK until midnight. How likely is it than any member of the public would have specifically objected to late night darts? In the first instance these matters are for the licensee, locals and entertainers/participants to sort out. They are not matters for the licensing committee or officers unless specific concerns arise or objections are made to them.

Can you demonstrate on what basis that recorded music presents less of a concern to residents than live music and can go on an hour longer? Perhaps this is something that should be left to those it concerns rather than being subject to the judgement of a committee who should perhaps not allow any of the premises activities to be extended?

What is happening here and probably elsewhere is that any objection is seen as an open invitation for LAs to nose into things which are none of their concern and as the start of a bargaining process. In cases such as this one - conditions are imposed on activities that no one has objected to - to make it look as if they are doing something to alay publc concern - when in reality - even with valid objections - it is almost impossible for them to refuse extended hours.

They can and do seem to think that any objections to a licnsing application enables them to judge and to place even further restrictions on how the public choose to spend their leisure time.