I notice he completely avoided the point about Morris Dancing, where, when the pub he is talking about did apply for a PEL (a fact of which he is clearly unaware), they imposed restrictions that would sop them from having Morris Dancers except on one occasion in the year.

Still I think we've got them on the back foot. I still haven't had my answer yet.

The key thing is, that quote that Shamble gave above from the House of Lords is a killer - The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton), replying on behalf of HM Government to a question from The Lord Bishop of Oxford, in The House of Lords Entertainment Legislation Debate Monday 11 December 2000.
"Whether members of the public who sing on licensed premises count as performers is a matter for the licensing authority to decide, depending on the circumstances"

That completely undermines Mr Gilmour's glib response "The Council did not make the law, but is required to enforce it".

I like the friendly tone of your response.I think the Mudcat is good for developing the firm but friendly response muscles.