The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61322 Message #987489
Posted By: Grab
21-Jul-03 - 11:12 AM
Thread Name: Licensing Bill - How will it work ?
Subject: RE: Licensing Bill - How will it work ?
Somewhere above (before Shambles' flames), someone asked about how residents got input into licensing, with reference to MPs not listening...
My understanding (which may be flawed, I know ;-) is that licensing will remain the province of magistrates. However under the new law, local residents will be allowed a voice when a license application is made, in much the same way that residents would be allowed to speak up over planning permission. Currently I believe local residents have no standing when a music or liquor license is granted, so there's no way for them to get their views heard. That sounds like a useful change, although as ever the implementation remains to be tested.
Graham.
PS. Don't take this as general approval of the whole of the new law, or the Labour Party, or Gareth, or the police, etc... ;-)