I suspect that any answer to this, were any to be forthcoming, may be on the lines of this one, I received from my Council's legal officer on 24 August 2004, after nearly 4 years of trying to obtain a policy decision from the members. What it means is that, the honest answer is too difficult or would place them in severe difficulties.

I am responding to your e-mail dated 18 August received during my absence on leave.

The Council's priority is the successful implementation of the new licensing regime. In order to achieve this it is necessary to focus resources on what is a substantial undertaking for this small local authority. Unfortunately this means that we do not have the resources to respond further to the points you raise.

As set out in my e-mail to you of 22 July we would value your contribution to the formulation of the Council's Local Licensing Policy and Model Conditions which are currently out to public consultation.

Legal & Housing Services Manager

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council

This reminds me so much of the bully confronted. The resources were there (and still are under the current legislation) for these same officers, when there were no complaints, to make many (out of hours) visits and to threaten my local licensee with £20,000 fines or prison, just because the number of members of the public wishing to play in the session, exceeded two.

Now the story is that we are just a small little borough (and had a difficult childhood) etc...

The personal sounding invite is a nice touch too. It is saying that there is no hard feelings and they are not going to exclude me from the new Licensing Policy consultation - which is open to all the public anyway.

Do I sound bitter?