· Without a rigorous evidence base that shows the extent of the unmet latent demand for live music licenses, no assessment of the balance of costs and benefits from the proposed exemption can be made. It is naïve to ask councillors voluntarily to surrender local peoples' right to a democratically accountable licensing regime in these circumstances.

The two-in-a-bar rule permitted small scale live music but was abolished without a rigorous evidence base. There is no demand for live music licenses, unmet, latent or otherwise, except from the LGA Group.

It is irresponsible for the LGA Group to continue the pretence that additional entertainment licensing for fixed premises is the only or the most effective way the public's interests can be protected from the risks they claim to be associated with live music.

As reported in the consultation document, in 2008, the Government proposed that any problems arising from the exempt live music could be dealt with through penalties available under other legislation, such as on the spot fines for noise under environmental health legislation. No evidence is presented by the LGA Group to show an opposite position.