I'm not clear whether the guidance will just be advising/instructing local authorities on how they should decide whether or not to give a licence, and what conditions they can require, or will it be also advising/instructing them as what things do not actually need licences.

It could be quite a important distinction. I suspect that there will be a lot of places which will never apply for licences, both pubs in respect of music, and other places such as cafés or community centres, because they aren't into selling alcohol, and that is the central element in the licensing system.