Licensing consultation announced!

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 05:50 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87789?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

A senior councillor has stoked controversy by saying young people will be put at risk if the Government grants live-music licence exemptions for crowds up to 200.

Crowded: Cllr White fears crisis if exemptions go ahead

Local Government Assocication (LGA) chair for culture, tourism & sport Chris White also hit out at Live Music Forum members, saying they don't "know a lot about live music" and use "underhand, guerilla tactics to make personal attacks".

John King, musician and member of the Live Music Forum, called for White's resignation and labelled the LGA's support of live music restrictions "irrational".

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 02:25 PM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67538&c=1

Licensing 'overhaul' consultation will last just six weeks

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 09:07 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/21/feargal-sharkey-life-peerage?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Lord Sharkey?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:35 AM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67526&c=1

Plans to allow pubs to get a last-minute temporary event notice (TEN) for "low-risk" activities appear to have been scrapped.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:25 AM

This is the proposed Live Music Bill, which Chris White, chairman of the Local Government Association's culture, tourism and sport board, said he thought it was "a very ignorant bill", adding that "the case that there is a problem with live music has not been made".

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldbills/012/11012.1-i.html

I would suggest that Lib Dem Cllr White is a problem for live music (and his party).

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:05 AM

The move of licensing from DCMS would appear to mean that Entertainment Licensing will not be part of the promised Home Office review of the Act.

Will it be subject of (yet another) DCMS review, to be sabotaged by the LGA Group or simply left in its current mess or will the two coalition parties be seen to actually honour their pre-election positions and statements and for a good start least, support the measures contained in the Live Music Bill?

In the long-term, there can be no hope for any sensible treatment of live music, if all of it is still to be subject to additional entertainment licensing, the continuing prejudice against it of the LGA Group lobby, and to the post code lottery that is the individual likes and dislikes of local government employees.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 03:29 PM

http://www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?id=18313

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald OBE, chairman of LACORS, said:

"Councils have worked hard to make sure that the new music licensing regime works for the benefit of licensees, musicians and the music-loving public. It was clear from the Live Music Forum's report earlier in the year that the vast majority of local authorities have succeeded in doing so, and we are pleased that the Government too has praised councils' approach.

"We recognise that a small number of problems have arisen, but only as a direct result of councils having to make very difficult local judgements with less than clear legislation and guidance. The recommendations put forward by the Government should go a long way towards clearing up some of these grey areas, allowing councils to concentrate on promoting live music whilst protecting local people from any associated safety concerns, nuisance, crime or disorder.

Cllr Chris White, chairman of the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said:

"Councils are committed to putting local people first and will continue to work with the Government, the music industry and other organizations to make sure that the live music regime works for the benefit of all.

"The licensing regime is designed to allow live music where it does not compromise the licensing objectives, such as preventing public nuisance and ensuring public safety. The changes announced by the Government will make sure that councils are better equipped to make these decisions, and that licensees and musicians are fully involved in the process."

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:03 PM

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/28970/private-members-bill-seeks-to-relax-live

But the bill's opponents maintain there is no problem with the current licensing situation. Chris White, chairman of the Local Government Association's culture, tourism and sport board, said he thought it was "a very ignorant bill", adding that "the case that there is a problem with live music has not been made".

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:57 PM

The following from The Live Music Forum

Tuesday 20th July 2010 - Licensing responsibility changed to Home Office

In a move expected by experts in the legal profession, the Government has moved the responsibility for licensing from the DCMS to the Home Office. All except the licensing "in relation to Regulated entertainment, which remains with the DCMS", writes Jeremy Allen for Popplestone Allen, a legal practice specialising in licensing. See,

http://www.popall.co.uk/LicensingApplications/responsibilityforlicensingfinallymovestothehomeoffice.asp

Mr Allen goes on to say, "In many ways this is sad news. DCMS was given responsibility for licensing in the early years of the decade and was responsible, arguably with inadequate resources, for the
Licensing Bill which became the 2003 Act. They also dealt with Gaming. The Home Office made determined efforts to regain control and have now done so. It will be interesting to see how the law develops."

So, for the time being, the Department of Culture Media and Sport continue to be responsible for licensing of live music, but not alcohol. There is sure to be much speculation on what this will mean
to the prospects of the new Licensing Bill authored by Lord Clement- Jones. Let's hope they are just clearing the way for the quick passage of Lord Tim's Bill into law.

Phil Little
Live Music Forum

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:49 PM

http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7270.aspx

The responsibility for licensing has been moved to the Home Office. That is, all licensing except that for regulated entertainment, which stays with the DCMS.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 03:58 AM

The Cambridge example is significant because the cancellation was not due to licensing difficulties but the organisers' perceptions of how any problems might be dealt with. It doesn't suggest that the new regime has created an environment supportive of live music, rather that the environment is one where organisers are reluctant to put on events out of fear that any licensing infringement could be penalised and cause them substantial financial loss.

A further example.

The following from Dave Wiggins

Starfest all over again, this time the threat of such a loss was too much of a gamble for the event holders and the event never took place. We met with environmental health last week for a debrief of Starfest, and she said.... and I quote......... "UNFORTUNATELY during your event there were no complaints while our officers were on duty, therefore we couldn't do anything even though it was very loud"; this proves outright that they are looking for excuses and methods to prosecute and punish Live Music events.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: Howard Jones
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 02:36 AM

The Cambridge example is significant because the cancellation was not due to licensing difficulties but the organisers' perceptions of how any problems might be dealt with. It doesn't suggest that the new regime has created an environment supportive of live music, rather that the environment is one where organisers are reluctant to put on events out of fear that any licensing infringement could be penalised and cause them substantial financial loss.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 12:47 PM

http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=10691&J=1&zTS=undefined

A Specialist Science College applying for a premises licence for indoor sporting events and live music. 21 complaints were received. Idiots from Herefordshire Council inspected the application notice, found it to be incorrectly displ...ayed and forced the school to resubmit the application. Cost to the school about £2000.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 12:36 PM

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Villagers-angered-by-festival-cancellation.htm

Villagers angered by festival cancellation
Chris Havergal
A village festival attended by more than 1,000 villagers each year was cancelled – after a neighbour complained about the noise.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 12:33 PM

http://thedailygrowl.co.uk/2010/07/15/a-bad-week-for-live-music/

Yesterday, for propably the last time, I went down to Pure Groove in Smithfields. Since it opened there in 2008, I've been there many times – to buy records, to drink coffee and most of all for their excellent instore gigs. Their lunchtime shows have sustained me with live music when getting out to gigs in the evening have been difficult, so I'm gutted that they're having to close their doors. It's not that they've been unsuccessful; the problem is the age-old one of nimbyism.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 02:32 PM

http://www.harrow.gov.uk/downloads/file/3629/st_bernadettes_rc_primary_school_ha3_9ns

Download this PDF to see Harrow Council licensing the 'provision of entertainment facilities' at a primary school in order to teach dance.

Is this an example of the type of 'quality regulation' in the Licensing Act 2003, that is being promoted at great expense and defended as neccessary by LACORS, in order to protect the public?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 10 - 04:41 AM

The following from Hamish Birchall

On 8th July, the 17,000 signature live music licensing petition was delivered to the prime minister at 10 Downing Street by Phil Little, founder of the original Live Music Forum: www.livemusicforum.co.uk

The petition called on the prime minister to implement the entertainment licence exemptions for live music recommended by the all party Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee in 2009 following its public inquiry into the Licensing Act.

Mr Little was joined at the Downing Street presentation by Conservative MP John Whittingdale, Chair of the CMS Committee, Lib Dem peer Tim Clement-Jones - sponsor of the new Live Music Bill, Conservative peer Anthony Colwyn - a jazz trumpeter and long standing champion of live music in the Lords, and musician and entertainer John Otway among others. The group was filmed by John King and Charlotte Collingwood of the Welwyn Live Music Forum.

The video, now on YouTube, is accompanied by an LMF statement read by Ms Collingwood:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLivemusicforum#p/a/u/0/ofKnV5mNKgs

It includes well documented examples of council enforcement against harmless events - examples of the sort dismissed by DCMS statistician Vivienne Avery as 'scare stories'.

Lord Clement-Jones' new bill goes further than its predecessor in proposing an entertainment licence exemption for gigs with audiences of up to 200 in most places (rather than only in premises with a 200 capacity), including any place that qualifies as a 'workplace' for the purposes of health and safety legislation. Unamplified live music would be exempt without restricting the number of performers. But, as with amplified live music, this exemption would be subject to review in bars if there were problems.

The complete text of the new bill can be viewed here (HTML):
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldbills/012/11012.1-i.html

The petition presentation was also attended by licensing trade paper the Morning Advertiser. Its coverage is available online here:
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87649?N=598301&Ne=598325%2B598327&PagingData=Po_0~Ps_10~Psd_Asc

ENDS

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 02:29 PM

Live Music Forum video statement on licensing and the Live Music Bill.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLivemusicforum#p/a/u/0/ofKnV5mNKgs

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: Tootler
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 10:56 AM

Don't be surprised if Councils - through the LGA or otherwise - fight this proposal tooth and nail.

After all it is a nice little earner and provides lots of jobs for the boys.

Of course they won't admit this, but it is likely behind their inconsistency and their somewhat lame reasons given as to why the new licensing regime is necessary.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 02:00 AM

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLivemusicforum

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 01:54 PM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87649

Video: Live music campaigners call for change.

Hamish Birchall on Licensing Bill Changes.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 01:00 PM

From the same article

The LGA Group argues that further changes to the 2003 Licensing Act are unnecessary. Venues that want to have live music in the background rather than as a main attraction are able to make use of the 'incidental music' exemption.

Since the Act's introduction, I have tried to ensure that unpaid, non-amplified folk music sessions in local pubs can benefit from this exemption.

To date I have been unsuccessful. Even with the latest guidance, the elected councillors are still being advised that the only way such activities can take place is with additional entertainment as a performance of Regulated Entertainment and will be prevented without this.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 11:30 AM

Also in that LGA article was the following:

Cllr Chris White, Chair of the LGA's Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said:

"Common sense measures to allow pubs and bars to put on live music with a minimum of bureaucracy are already in place and make further amendments pointless. Resisting the badly thought out plans for new exemption rules are not about automatically saying 'no' to live music. Councils want to be able to say 'yes', confident that local people have been considered as part of the process."

Quite how Cllr White can feel he is speaking on behalf of 'Councils'is not clear but such things are all too common in the strange world of the LGA Group. It would be nice to think that these comments are really made on the behalf of local people. However not all local people feel they need to complain and many of these local people are also involved in live music and would feel that their concerns are seldom considered in the current process.   

For example, the LGA submission to the recent DCMS consultation on small premises, states that the LGA Group is against such exemptions as proposed. At the same time, there are are submissions from some member Councils which express a different view.

One example is from a council where it was the Licensing Committee itself which made a submission in support of the proposal. The majority of submissions from employees claiming to speak as the Councils in question do tend to support the view already expressed on their behalf, in the LGA Group submission.   

It would be nice to accept at face value, Cllr White's view that Councils want to be able to say yes to live music. That many council employees and councillors feel they have every right to have a say in matters where many of us would rather they did not and in which many would doubt their basic understanding, is certainly the case.

However, my experience is that this involvement and the expensive red-tape is presenting the one single obstacle to the health and spread of live music in all of its forms. Is it really Councils who should be saying yes or no to live music or is Cllr White presuming too much?

A Councils role is to ensure only that premises are safe and suitable for whatever the public are to use them for. Their expertise is in these areas and not in the many forms of live music that they affect and those who have this expertise should be respected and consulted where too often they are ignored or worse.

Thus we have a crazy system where the latest guidance is that the same live music is expected to be judged licensable by these councils if the name of the musician appears in the advert but not licensable if the advert simply states that some form of live music is to take place.

Where it is true that Councils are not directly responsible for such legislation - one may hope that they would accept that their expertise is not in such matters and they would make some moves to address this. Sadly they would seem content to not only work with it but, in the form of the LGA Group, were the main movers in the development of the latest guidance on the interpretation of the Act's incidental exemption.

The other parties in this consultation are also culpable but it is the LGA Group who would seem happy that Council employees continue to be expected to make vital subjective decisions that are not within their area of expertise.

They are expected to rule if a live music activity is licensable or not, based on how the seating is arranged. Arranged in circle, it is not licensable but facing in one direction, it is licensable. If it is deemed to be licensable and proceeds without the required additional licensing permission, the operator could face prosecution, a £20,000 fine or 6 months in prison.

This is madness.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 09:30 AM

Again from John King.

For those correspondents who wanted more details of the LGA bogus survey into noise complaints as mentioned in the LMF Press release - here is the original article from the LGA website. We obtained confirmation that NO council leader was in fact contacted.

http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=6467844

Proposals to allow pubs and bars to put on live music without the need for a licence could lead to a massive increase in noise problems, council leaders warned today, as a survey was published into the possible impacts of planned changes to the 2003 Licensing Act.

A poll of council licensing officers carried out by the Local Government Association Group found 9 out of 10 think proposals to relax the rules for venues would lead to an increase in complaints about noise and nuisance. More than half said they expected the increase to be considerable.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 09:25 AM

http://app.southwark.gov.uk/Licensing/LicPremisesAppliedDetails.asp?systemkey=832414

The following from John King

At Southwark Council, Form 696 is still THRIVING. Although the overtly racist 'ethnic profile' questions have been removed from the form, it is still being used to target premises popular with black and Asian citizens.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 09:17 AM

http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/component/content/article/67-2010/11485-jazz-breaking-news-revamped-licensing-bill-begins-legisl

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 12:48 PM

The new Live Music Bill

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldbills/012/11012.1-i.html

Key points:
...
An licensing exemption for any live music (whether amplified or not) for audiences of 200 or under.

An outright exemption for any unamplified music in any licensed premises.

An outright exemption for any live music in places defined as work places - which would include hospitals, schools, retirement homes.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 12:39 PM

Hello,

we are looking for help and advice on a short film we are making.

We aim to expose the ridiculousness of the current licensing laws, as they pertain to music in the public house.

We're sure everyone knows the laws, and duly seeks their rapid amendment.

The film will focus on the exceptions to the law which prove its absurdity - viz., it is alright to sing as long as you are doing something else to make it incidental, and it is alright to sing as part of a religious ceremony, or if someone is morris-dancing to it.

We know there are many people actively involved in this campaign already, and we wanted to make sure our own efforts could co-ordinate with everyone else's, in order to make the pressure on C&C insurmountable.

After all, the YOUR FREEDOM campaign seems built for this. So far, it is all fart and no poo, while the Live Music peoples are offering a perfectly good way for the government to prove their freedom mettle.

That is the plan.

Please advice, musicians and campaigners all.

Ed and Will,
www.awalkaroundbritain.com

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 03:05 AM

As it is required in advance, such measures in the Licensing Act affect all entertainment, whether these would subsequently prove to cause any noise nuisance or not.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/10274836.stm

In the case of non-amplified shanty performances - there is little danger of any over-heating but there are dangers presented to the event by assumptions that all entertainment must be subject to the advance red-tape of additional licensing permission. The fitting of an oil temprature

Encouraging this dangerous approach is to encourage the common but erroneous assumption, that the removal of the need for additional entertainment licensing means that this exposes the public to noise nuisance.   

Would you think is sensible to fit an oil temperature gauge to all bicycles?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:59 PM

That is irrational. It is like saying that if your car engine oil overheats you should fit a larger oil cooler (which you should) BUT NOT an oil temperature gauge.

The Safe Tea Elf also applies to noise - but no-one I think suggests that it should be otherwise because the EPA has application too.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 07:03 PM

So the first of the proposed new exemptions is too wide. If I as a stroppy solicitor cannot get noise nuisance from the local pub reduced, existing noise controls do not work.

If noise controls in the Environmental Protection Act do not work - perhaps you would agree that it is these which need to be addressed?

And if this is really the case - with the existing measures contained in the Licensing Act - then changing these will make no difference at all, other than to further confuse the situation.

The licensing Act's additional entertainment licensing, should no longer been seen and championed as any way of dealing with noise nuisence. This is plainly the case as the Licensing Act is limited only to possible noise nuisence emanating from entertainment and premises which are granted additional entertainment licensing, are instructed that their entertainments are still subject the Environmental Protection Act. Subjecting them to these measures in the Licensing Act is unecessary and expensive duplication.

As it is required in advance, such measures in the Licensing Act affect all entertainment, whether these would subsequently prove to cause any noise nuisance or not.

Can we please stop perpetuating the myth that the Licensing Act is any way connected with preventing noise nuisence?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 01:15 PM

Well, the new manageress in my local pub has at a stroke reduced noise nuisance from it that had gone unhindered by all of the rules and regulations to date. It's very simple. If she goes upstairs and can't properly hear her telly, then the jukebox/TV/karaoke/whatever downstairs gets told to turn down. Argue and you get unplugged and never come again.

So the first of the proposed new exemptions is too wide. If I as a stroppy solicitor cannot get noise nuisance from the local pub reduced, existing noise controls do not work.

I accordingly think that whenever live music would be licensable, so should jukeboxes and big screen TVs and anything else with an amplifier in.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 12:14 PM

http://www.ism.org/news_campaigns/article/ism_and_jazz_services_join_forces_to_back_the_live_music_bill/

The ISM and Jazz Services announced today that there are deep rooted concerns from the music sector that government plans for a further review could delay progress of the Live Music Bill. This could have a serious impact on all musicians, particularly Jazz and young musicians, fresh out of Conservatoires, who are likely to suffer the most.

A stronger review hinted at by the minister, John Penrose MP, offering 'broader and more radical' de-regulation is welcome and wholly backed by the ISM and Jazz Services, but both organisations believe that this review should by no means hinder the immediate help needed and already consulted on for musicians by the previous government.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 11:23 AM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67426

Music campaigners to deliver 17,000-strong petition to Downing Street

7 July, 2010

By James Wilmore

Liberal Democrat peer also resurrecting parliamentary Bill today

Pressure on the government to relax the rules around live pub music is set to intensify as a peer resurrects a parliamentary Bill today – and campaigners prepare to deliver a 17,000 signature petition to Downing Street.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones will re-introduce a modified version of his Live Music Bill in the Lords this afternoon.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 11:16 AM

http://www.livemusicforum.co.uk/text/downingstreetstatement.pdf
The Live Music Forum have prepared a press release to coincide with the presenting of the Live Music Events Petition to 10 Downing Street tomorrow. Lord Clement-Jones, DCMS Select Commitee Chairman John Whittingdale, and Lord Colwyn will also be attending.

The following is from that press release.

Live music can never thrive where its mere provision is a potential criminal offence unless licensed, but where all broadcast entertainment and most recorded music in bars is automatically allowed.
And live music can never thrive under the strict control of licensing authorities that have been encouraged by the LGA to invite and then uphold complaints about live music events before they have even taken place.

We urge the Coalition to exempt grassroots live music from this
draconian licensing regime, to introduce proper rules of evidence to
licensing hearings, and to STOP Local Government from destroying our
cultural heritage.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 11:06 AM

The following from Hamish Birchall

A revamped Live Music Bill by Lib Dem peer Lord Clement-Jones will get a first reading this afternoon in the House of Lords.

Among other things, the new Bill proposes:

An entertainment licence exemption for performances of live music in bars between 8am and midnight to audiences of up to 200, rather than in premises of up to 200 capacity - but subject to review if there are problems;

A similar exemption in places not already licensed under the Act, but which qualify as a workplace under health and safety legislation, including cafes, schools and hospitals;

An exemption for solely unamplified live music between 8am and midnight, without restriction on the number of performers, subject to review in places already licensed under the Act, such as bars and pubs.

The removal of the requirement to licence entertainment facilities.

Full details, including copies of the Bill, should be available tomorrow on the UK Parliament website: www.parliament.uk


ENDS

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 01:59 AM

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/hr_careerprofiles_senior_licensing_officer

A day in the life of an Senior Licensing Officer.

My proudest achievement working as a Senior Licensing Officer was during the six month transitional period of the Licensing Act 2003 when the Council went from licensing just over 100 premises to licensing nearly 700 premises and over 1000 people in a period of six months. As part of this transitional period I mediated on, wrote reports for and presented at committee 82 applications.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 01:34 PM

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=135571066472562

The Live Music Forum was established in Hastings in June 1993 and has continuously campaigned for relaxation in the licensing of live music.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 12:23 PM

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Pub-wins-its-fight-stay-open-longer.htm

Again, longer serving hours for alcohol are granted but restrictions are placed on live music. Yet there has been no crime in the area and following complaints the Environmental Health judged the volume of music to be acceptable.

These type of restrictions are not showing up in the DCMS statistics, as the Enertainment Premission is seen to be granted. Thus from the number of applications, we are expected to accept that live music is thriving!

Live music needs to be free from the whims of local authority employees before it is too late.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 11:50 AM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67408&c=1

Major groups making joint submission in response to coalition's alcohol plans

All the major trade groups have united over a joint submission to government which sets out the industry's response to a planned "overhaul" of the licensing regime.

In what is being seen as "pre-consultation consultation", the coalition has asked for the industry's initial thoughts on proposals to tackle alcohol-related problems.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: Tootler
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 07:32 PM

Too true Leadfingers, especially if the weasel words "No decision has yet been taken..." are included.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 02:24 PM

Government Consultation seems to mean - Yes , we hear what you say but we've made our minds up already !

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 01:40 PM

http://www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk/news/8245410.Protests_at_Oak_Tree_Arena_event/

Protests at Oak Tree Arena event
11:00am Thursday 1st July 2010

NEIGHBOURS have strongly objected to plans to hold a live music event at the Oak Tree Arena in Highbridge - claiming it would infringe on their human rights.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 08:06 AM

These might start you off...

HERE are some of the things that have been formally prohibited by our loony laws...

Change the Licensing Act 2003, under which publicans face a £20,000 fine and six months in jail for allowing live music without a licence.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3035677/Your-chance-to-join-Sun-and-Government-in-Rip-Up-The-Red-Tape-campaign.html#ixzz0sWfb4q8m

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 06:22 AM

http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/

Update 10am Friday 2 July

We're working to create a more open and less intrusive society. We want to restore Britain's traditions of freedom and fairness, and free our society of unnecessary laws and regulations – both for individuals and businesses.

This site gives you the chance to suggest how we can do this. Your ideas will inform government policy and some of your proposals could end up making it into bills we bring before Parliament to change the law.

So if there are any laws or regulations you'd like us to do away with, then first, check if there are any similar ideas here already and then add your comments to it and rate it to move it up the list. If it's not here, then add it! And remember - we want you to suggest ideas for removing laws and regulations, rather than ideas for creating them.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,polly lloyd
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 04:54 PM

The Hamilton Russell Arms in Thorpe Thewles will be having a beer festival on July 16th to 18th, to replace the June festival which was cancelled due to a licensing problem. There will be over 30 real ales over the course of the weekend (15 at a time) including beers from local breweries Consett Ale Works, Yard of Ale and Hill Island. The beer tent opens on Friday at 5pm and there will be 9 local bands on throughout the weekend. Tickets are on sale now at £5 for a day pass or £7 for the weekend. All tickets include a free taster drink and a branded festival glass. For more information, see the pub's website (www.hamiltonrussell.com).


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Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: IanC
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 04:59 AM

We already seem to have a decent presence on the new Your Freedoms website ...

Pavane
IanC

Your comments would no doubt be appreciated.

:-)

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 04:18 AM

The following from Hamish Birchall.

Three respected academics, professors Alison Macfarlane, Simon Frith and Martin Cloonan, have signed a Live Music Forum letter to Sir Michael Scholar, Chair of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), expressing concern that DCMS 'persists in making the misleading claim that "overall live music is thriving"'.

Sent on 18 June, the letter follows the reinstatement on the DCMS website of its controversial report 'Live Music - An Analysis of the Sector': http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/research_and_statistics/6602.aspx

The LMF letter concludes with a request that as a matter of urgency the UKSA 'make[s] a full and public assessment of the statistics on which the DCMS bases its claim': http://www.livemusicforum.co.uk/hbtouksaletter.htm

Alison Macfarlane is a statistician specializing in the interpretation and use of official statistics and is Professor of Perinatal Health at City University London. She is also involved in the performance and promotion of traditional folk music.

Simon Frith is Tovey Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh and Principal Investigator on the Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project, Researching Live Music in the UK. See:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/FundedResearch/Pages/ResearchDetail.aspx?id=136001

Martin Cloonan is Professor of Popular Music Politics at the University of Glasgow and co-investigator on the AHRC-funded project above.

The LMF letter was prompted in part by the release of email correspondence between the UKSA and DCMS, following a Freedom of Information Act request by musician Gareth Huw Davies.

The exchange provides an unprecedented insight into the way a senior civil servant with a fixed idea can influence not only government policy and ministers' statements, but also the policy positions of powerful agencies like the Local Government Association and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (both have suggested that as live music is 'thriving', there is no need for a new entertainment licensing exemption for small gigs).

Vivienne Avery, chief DCMS statistician, is convinced that the state of live music is 'healthy'. But the evidence is very limited and indirect. The correspondence suggests that the UKSA became increasingly sceptical of DCMS claims.

John King of the Welwyn Live Music Forum has helpfully annotated Ms Avery's arguments. His analysis suggests that not only music, but also the alcohol statistics have been seriously misinterpreted:
http://www.livemusicforum.co.uk/text/welwyncommentsondcmscorrespondence.pdf

Among other things, Ms Avery claimed in her UKSA correspondence that my own experience was '... confined to one genre of music'. I don't know where she got that idea. She has never asked me about my musical experience, and appears to have relied on second-hand, ill-informed advice.

I wrote to her explaining that my 38 years of professional playing have included, and continue to include, a variety of genres, including swing, funk and soul. But despite my requesting an acknowledgement and an apology, neither has been forthcoming.

ENDS

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 05:34 PM

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Torment-residents-earns-pub-hefty-fine/article-2324880-detail/article.html

'Torment' of residents earns pub a hefty fine
THE owner of a pub in Totterdown has been ordered to pay more than £12,000 after repeated complaints about noise.

Residents in County Street complained to Bristol City Council about customers shouting and screaming from a balcony and deafening music being played at The Bush in Wells Road.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 05:30 PM

Meanwhile...........................

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Pubs-permit-application-ignites-residents-worries.htm

Pub's permit application ignites residents' worries
by ADRIAN JENKINS
ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour may increase if a pub is allowed to become a 'nightclub' by staging live music, films, dance and indoor sports events, police, environment watchdogs and villagers have warned.