The last reply I received after emailing Tom Grainger is the one below.

I think your email is based on a false premise. The issue has never been that the Thursday sessions themselves make too much noise or pose a threat to health & safety. The test for whether a PEL is needed is only does entertainment take place. If so, and unless there is a specific exemption, eg less than 3 people performing, a PEL is needed. It is not a matter of Council policy. The circumstances in which the entertainment takes place at the Cove, ie almost every week, means we have no discretion.

It is for this reason I have suggested to various people that we would be better seeking evidence to show the law is having an unfortunate and unintended side effect. I have no wish for anyone to be 'shopped', although I would hope all licensees would operate within the law. What I would be interested to hear of is any landlord who has stopped allowing sessions to be held, because of the need for a PEL.

I then contacted him again with this:
You seem to be saying that the purpose is not as Ian Locke detailed in the Echo.
Just that the legislation is there and so you feel obliged to apply it even when you admit it is inappropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Would you mind if I published your replies?

I didn't receive a reply to say I should not