This letter appeared in the Dorset Evening Echo 11/08/01.

PUB MUSIC POLICY: WHO'S CONSULTED?

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has given Local Authorities until 2002 to develop a Local Cultural Strategy.

A requirement to: "Develop strategy to encourage greater variety of pub/small scale venues, and review licensing arrangements for small venues" (on page 35 of the Creating Opportunities guidance document)does not seem to have been considered to conflict with or even influence Weymouth and Portland Borough Council policy.

This policy, established at the Social and Community Committee meeting on 05/06/01, considers that, more than two members of the public singing together in pub, to be illegal without a Public Entertainment Licence. This type of licence is held by only 6% of the nations licensed premises.

The minutes of this meeting indicate that no mention was made of this Local Cultural Strategy requirement and that the officer responsible for it was not present at this meeting.

Should not the Committee re-examine this policy and further consider if it is in the best interests of all the visitors and residents of Weymouth and Portland?

I fist asked about progress of the council's Local Cultural Strategy in April and received the following from the Tourism and Leisure Manager: "The Local Cultural Strategy will be going out for consultation during July to September."

I reminded him of this in August and received the following, 10/08/01:

"With regards to your recent Email consultation is ongoing BUT will now take place in October/November Have you been consulted?