Licensing consultation announced!

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:05 AM

The move of licensing from DCMS would appear to mean that Entertainment Licensing will not be part of the promised Home Office review of the Act.

Will it be subject of (yet another) DCMS review, to be sabotaged by the LGA Group or simply left in its current mess or will the two coalition parties be seen to actually honour their pre-election positions and statements and for a good start least, support the measures contained in the Live Music Bill?

In the long-term, there can be no hope for any sensible treatment of live music, if all of it is still to be subject to additional entertainment licensing, the continuing prejudice against it of the LGA Group lobby, and to the post code lottery that is the individual likes and dislikes of local government employees.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:25 AM

This is the proposed Live Music Bill, which Chris White, chairman of the Local Government Association's culture, tourism and sport board, said he thought it was "a very ignorant bill", adding that "the case that there is a problem with live music has not been made".

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldbills/012/11012.1-i.html

I would suggest that Lib Dem Cllr White is a problem for live music (and his party).

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:35 AM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67526&c=1

Plans to allow pubs to get a last-minute temporary event notice (TEN) for "low-risk" activities appear to have been scrapped.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 09:07 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/21/feargal-sharkey-life-peerage?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Lord Sharkey?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 02:25 PM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67538&c=1

Licensing 'overhaul' consultation will last just six weeks

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 05:50 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87789?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

A senior councillor has stoked controversy by saying young people will be put at risk if the Government grants live-music licence exemptions for crowds up to 200.

Crowded: Cllr White fears crisis if exemptions go ahead

Local Government Assocication (LGA) chair for culture, tourism & sport Chris White also hit out at Live Music Forum members, saying they don't "know a lot about live music" and use "underhand, guerilla tactics to make personal attacks".

John King, musician and member of the Live Music Forum, called for White's resignation and labelled the LGA's support of live music restrictions "irrational".

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 06:15 AM

White told the MA: "If you want a crowd surge and injured teens, then go ahead (with the Bill)."

Responding to the view that pubs shouldn't need a licence for live music as they don't for football, White said: "A local pub that decides to show the World Cup final does not attract football-lovers from all around.

"But a band might announce on Facebook or Twitter that it's appearing at a certain pub, and fans will come for miles around.

The LGA group's continuing prejudice against live music is as irrational as it is damaging.

Their stated position is that they are against a re-introduction of 'de minimus' exemption for small scale live music and continue to lobby against this.

As they do not continue to lobby for any change to this, the assumption must be that they are in favour of the many illogical exeptions which already do litter this Act. The most important one being the one that Cllr White tries and fails to defend, the exemption for live TV sporting events.

Cllr White's resignation from his influential role at the LGA would be a good start. His Lib Dem leader and now deputy PM is in support of measures in a Bill which Cllr White has declared to be "a very ignorant bill".

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 07:02 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87795?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

Moving control of licensing to the Home Office will mean a "more consistent approach" to the issue is taken, according to a Government minister.

Brokenshire: plans changes in licensing

Earlier this week it was confirmed that responsibility for licensing will switch from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to the Home Office, except around regulated entertainment.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 01:03 PM

http://www.guardianpublic.co.uk/hunt-dcms-arts-budget-cuts

>Hunt to cut his own department by half.

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has submitted plans to the Treasury proposing deep cuts in staff and a move to smaller government building

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 06:15 AM

Another Parliamentary Early Day Motion for you to ask your MP to sign and support.

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41503&SESSION=905

EDM 546    LIVE PERFORMANCES19.07.2010

Whittingdale, John
That this House celebrates the cultural value of live performances in enriching and entertaining communities; notes that small venues hosting live performances are the bedrock of the entertainment industry, providing opportunities for artists to begin their careers; is concerned that the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 has meant that there has been a decline in the number of small venues wishing to put on live performances; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward proposals for an exemption to the Licensing Act for audiences of 200 to tackle the negative impact with regards to small venues hosting live performances.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: pavane
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 06:24 AM

Perhaps we could point out that the needless beaucracy involved in operating the scheme (issuing TENs, for example) is an example of waste which could easily be cut from LA's budgets.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 06:43 AM

The whole process of locally devolved additional entertainment licensing is now expensive duplication.

Planning Legislation already deals in advance with any concerns about the premises.

The Envirinonmental Protection Act already deals with any actual problems that may occur with the premises.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 03:03 PM

You can find and contact your MP here.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mps/

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 06:08 AM

Are possible 'crowd surges' as likely (if not more so) for TV pub sport? Measures to deal with this, outwith the Licensing Act, are thought adequate.

So what evidence is Cllr White presenting to support his claims about live music, first that there is such a problem and secondly that additional entertainment licensing is the only way to deal with it and that its proposed removal for small (and already safe) premises would result in an increase in the problem he refers to?

The chances of additional entertainment licensing as contained in the Licensing Act 2003 being extended to cover the provision of TV sport is most unlikely. This recognises the political clout of that lobby.

However, it should not be too difficult to create a level-playing field where any risks arising from live music are treated the same and no longer singled-out for special attention and the type of 'scare-mongering' so common in the damaging statements of the LGA Group.

Sadly these statements continue to be damaging. Folk without all of the information tend to accept that those in influential positions (like Cllr White, the LGA Group and some individual licensing employees) not only know what they are talking about but are an impartial voice, with only the public's interest at heart.

None of which are in fact true. What is becoming a truth is that it is this lobby which is presenting the main and serious threat to the good health of all live music. If demonstration of this is needed, then look no further than the following Report.

http://www.musictank.co.uk/reports/licensing-act-2003-case-study-st-albans-district-council

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 03:14 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/24/love-parade-festival-tunnel-stampede?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

This is a terrible incident of course but good timing for idiots like our friend Cllr White who will no doubt use it to continue justify the type of LA stupidity contained in the St Albans report.

Over-regulation too has its dangers. Those contained in the Licensing Act 2003, which Cllr White would defend as the only way that small scale of live music (and live music only) can safely take place, would not have prevented an incident like this. This was taking place at the opposite end of the scale and involving vast crowds of people. The potential dangers of all such gatherings would not have been unforseen and measures would have no doubt been taken in advance to deal with these.

Sadly, this time these measures quite clearly did not prevent the deaths and injuries and we will have to wait to establish the reasons for this.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 06:46 AM

The following from Hamish Birchall

Conservative MP John Whittingdale, chair of the all party Culture Media and Sport Committee, has tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the government '... to bring forward proposals for an exemption to the Licensing Act for audiences of 200 to tackle the negative impact with regards to small venues hosting live performances.'

Intriguingly, Labour members make up the majority of the 21 MPs who have signed so far.

EDMs are rarely debated, but can generate useful publicity for a cause, especially if signed by a large number of MPs. Why not ask your MP to sign, if they have not already done so? Contact via www.theyworkforyou.com (identifies your MP from your postcode).

In May 2009 the CMS Committee concluded its public inquiry into the Licensing Act. It found that the Act had harmed small scale performances, and recommended that new exemptions should be introduced for live music in venues with a capacity of up to 200, and for one or two unamplified performers:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmcumeds/492/492.pdf

Lord Clement-Jones' new live music bill would, if successful, implement an exemption for gigs with an audience of up to 200 and allow unamplified live music without a restriction on the number of musicians. Its 2nd reading debate has not yet been scheduled, but may take place later this year:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldbills/012/11012.1-i.html

Cutting red tape for live music is a Coalition government commitment:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/409088/pfg_coalition.pdf [see p14]

Responsibility for licensing is now shared between the Home Office (alcohol) and DCMS (regulated entertainment). DCMS licensing minister John Penrose recently hinted in Parliament at a 'radical' solution for live music (21 June):
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100621/debtext/100621-0001.htm

Full text of John Whittingdale's EDM 546 'Live performances':

'That this House celebrates the cultural value of live performances in enriching and entertaining communities; notes that small venues hosting live performances are the bedrock of the entertainment industry, providing opportunities for artists to begin their careers; is concerned that the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 has meant that there has been a decline in the number of small venues wishing to put on live performances; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward proposals for an exemption to the Licensing Act for audiences of 200 to tackle the negative impact with regards to small venues hosting live performances.'
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41503&SESSION=905

General EDM info:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/Default.aspx

ENDS

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 02:58 AM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67560&c=1

So, the country will soon be rid of the scourge of 24 hour pubs thanks to the campaigning efforts of the Daily Mail. Hurrah!

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 05:03 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87829?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

MPs back live music exemptions

    * By Gemma McKenna
    * 26/07/2010 09:46

Twenty-one MPs are backing calls to let pubs host live music without a specific licence for audiences of up to 200 people.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: IanC
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 05:16 AM

Kind of important to understand that this EDM is not just about music. It seeks to widen MPs' approach to include all "live performances".

:-)

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 12:01 PM

Kind of important to understand that this EDM is not just about music. It seeks to widen MPs' approach to include all "live performances".

Does that mean that live music making, which is not 'performance' is not covered by the proposed exemption and that this will still be licensable and that only 'performance' is to be exempt?

I suggest that the word 'performance' should be dropped from legislation. It is not defined and that as the Act has extended additional entertainment licensing permission beyond what was once generally understood as entertainment, that the word 'performance' now simply causes even more confusion.

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67563&c=1

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 12:16 PM

"It's important that the trade's voice is heard at all of these consultations and licensees, particularly those located in the designated towns, really should do all they can to get along to one of the sessions," said Lee Le Clerq, the British Beer & Pub Association's north of England secretary.

"It's worth noting that every seat not occupied by a licensee will be taken by a health professional or a police officer who will tell the Home Office exactly how your pub should be run."

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67570&c=1

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 02:36 PM

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmdebate/01.htm#d2e696

Licensing Act 2003
11. Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): Whether he plans to bring forward proposals to exempt from the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 live performances at small venues; and if he will make a statement. [10680]

The following from John King:
Chris Heaton-Harris is MP for Daventry where the Headmaster of Danetre School was threatened with imprisonment for putting on the musical "We Will Rock You" without permission from the Council. The school has now wasted over £1,000 advertising the premises licence application in the media.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 04:45 PM

A number of stakeholders—as the jargon has it—have to be consulted, and today I had meetings with people from the Local Government Association and Local Government Regulation in order to ensure that all the relevant people have been consulted. We will do it as fast as we can.

A statement? What this translates into is:

After all the stalling and all the consultations that have already been required by the LGA Group lobby - we will do what the LGA Group lobby will allow us to do and at a time when it suits them.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 06:26 PM

http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/news/story.aspx?brand=Westonmercury&category=news&tBrand=westonmercury&tCategory=z

The following comment from John King:

A premises with a 'genre restriction' in the er... Licensing Minister's constituency. No dance music allowed. Does that include Morris Dancing?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 02:16 AM

http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/winchester/8292275.New_hall_given_green_light_to_sell_alcohol/

The following from John King;

Yes, it can sell alcohol. Music? Forget it. No music after 9:00pm - plus a noise limiter - plus a device attached to the exits which cuts the power supply to the musicians (possibly killing them in the process).

Of course this condition also applies and prevents all non-amplified live music.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:33 AM

Of course this condition also applies and prevents all non-amplified live music.

Except of course, music for Morris dancing, for which the Act has a specific exmption for (based presumably on the genre).

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 05:23 AM

Live music reform plans ramped up

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87845?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 07:14 AM

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldcumlst.htm

Lord Colwyn to ask Her Majesty's Government what changes they are making to the methods of data collection for the Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Statistical Bulletin to ensure that future bulletins comply with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   HL1780

Lord Colwyn to ask Her Majesty's Government how many licensed premises did not have authorisation to provide facilities for making music on 31 March 2009.   HL1781

Answers due 9 August 2010.

The following comment from John King;

The point to Lord Colwyn's Question HL1781 is:

It has come to light that of the 83,600 premises with live music authorisation - 31,400 of these do NOT have licensed facilities for making music.

This means that the number of premises without... authorisation for live music is THRIVING.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 02:08 PM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67577

Live music reform plans being kept under wraps
27 July, 2010

By James Wilmore

Minister says options being considered 'as quickly as possible'

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 04:03 AM

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41503&SESSION=905

The number of MPS is now 30.

There is time during their break to write to your MP and ask them to sign on their return.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 04:29 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87857?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

Residents and local authorities will be able to object to a licence if they believe it will or is having an adverse effect on public health under a major shake-up of the country's licensing laws.

May: leading licensing shake-up

Higher licensing fees, a late night levy to pay for police, tougher restrictions on the use of temporary event notices and giving residents even more powers to object to licences will all also form part of the Government's plan to overhaul the licensing regime.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 04:38 AM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67585&c=1

Plans to hike licence fees, clampdown on Temporary Event Notices (TENs) and scrap Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) are included in the coalition's bid to tear-up the licensing regime.

Full details of the Home Office consultation are being unveiled today – and appear to go well beyond what the government had previously announced.

Licence fees will be increased, the plans say, so councils can "cover costs linked to enforcement, leaving premises to pay rather than the local taxpayer".

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 05:27 AM

As there is now only a premises licence, any fee increase and for whatever reason - can only further deter live music.

Unless there are any plans to restore an alcohol only licence - this can only be yet more bad news. What a mess!

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 05:47 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87860?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

Licensing expert Peter Coulson said a rise in licensing fee costs would cause deep concern to the trade. "The Local Government Association has been complaining from the start of the new licensing laws (in 2005) that the fees do not cover their costs.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 07:37 AM

Licence fees will be increased, the plans say, so councils can "cover costs linked to enforcement, leaving premises to pay rather than the local taxpayer".

So a cafe serving no alcohol, not opening late but needing a Premises Licence to provide live music - is going to pay less?

And will schools also be paying more, when the enforcement costs of their Premises Licence are so small?

Why should any fee increase based on so-called enforcement costs and based on the premises which serve alcohol and open late, be paid by premises which do not?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 07:47 AM

Mr Murray says he believes granting of this application would be in conflict with the Licensing Board's objective to protect and improve public health and the objective to protect children.

http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/Golf-Club-Sunday-License-to.6437025.jp

This is what happens in Scotland - where the Licensing Act (Scotland) 2005 allows objections on the grounds on 'public health'.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 11:08 AM

Home Secretary Theresa May is set to outline the plans in a key speech on anti-social behaviour this morning but she has already said that the licensing regime has failed.

"The benefits promised by the 24-hour drinking cafe culture have failed to materialise and we have seen an increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents and drink-fuelled crime and disorder," said May

"We know the majority of pubs and bars are well-run businesses but the government believes the system needs to be rebalanced in favour of local communities with tougher action to crack down on the small number of premises who cause problems."

If this is the case, the proposals will do nothing to address the problems referred to. It is just another case of the majority having to suffer yet more cost and over regulation under legislation which has no effect on the few who cause problems.

The whole 24hr licensing issue is bogus. We already have 24 hr drinking with the ability to buy alcohol from supermarkets.

The cash cow is to be returned to local authorities and this proposal is music to the ears of the the LGA lobby and to the few who spend most of their live writing complaints about everyone else.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 11:19 AM

Sorry the last post was from me.

Home Office seek views on Rebalancing the Licensing Act

http://www.instituteoflicensing.org/article_id/1000452/2010/07/28/Home+Office+seek+views+on+Rebalancing+the+Licensing+Act.html

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 11:27 AM

This thread has wandered a little since it was first titled. It now moves back on topic again. Now the consultation is with the Home Offce, whilst we still await the result of the DCMS consultation

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/cons-2010-licensing-act/

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 01:50 PM

http://www.licentiouslaw.co.uk/all-change-again-rebalancing-the-licensing-act

ALL CHANGE (AGAIN): REBALANCING THE LICENSING ACT
Jul 28th, 2010
by Maria Guida.

Theresa May, the Home Secretary has published a consultation paper today entitled, "Rebalancing the Licensing Act." Whilst the consultation paper starts positvely, acknowledging licensed premises working with the police to reduce alcohol related harm and mentioning the acheivements of Business Improvement Districts and Best Bar None, it then goes on to make suggestions for improving the licensing system, which will make most licensees' toes curl.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 03:03 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87866?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

Drinks giant Diageo has backed the Government's tough plans for licensing

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 03:45 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87869?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

The transfer of responsibility for licensing to the Home Office should free up the culture department to positively promote pubs, trade leaders argue.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 05:47 AM

All UK legislation published on one site.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 05:55 AM

Home Secretary Theresa May today claimed that the years following the change to licensing laws saw a rise in alcohol related crime. However when Full Fact investigated we found the figures hard to swallow...

http://www.fullfact.org/articles/home_office_retracts_alcohol_crime_claim

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 07:22 AM

Speaking to Full Fact, a Home Office spokesperson acknowledged that Ms May's quote "should have referred to the proportion of crimes, rather than the number."

Of course now that the papers have supported the error, it is too late. Just like the last 'reform' undertaken by the previous Govt, the whole thing is based on prejudice rather than fact.

Sadly just about the only good thing about the last reform, the removal of the ability for local authorities to increase fees, looks set to be returned to them.

In fact it would appear that the LGA Group lobby will be given whatever they ask for.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 12:43 PM

The Following from Hamish Birchall

The Home Office yesterday announced a six-week consultation on radical reform of alcohol licensing. The aim is to give more power to the police and local authorities to tackle alcohol-related crime:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/alcohol-licensing/

Leading licensing lawyer Jeremy Allen said: 'The proposals would, if implemented, signal the most radical change to licensing laws ever attempted in the shortest possible time.' See: http://www.popplestonallen.co.uk/licensingapplications/thegovernmentsproposalsforlicensingreform.asp

'10 key points' on the government's proposed alcohol licensing reforms by the Morning Advertiser:
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87865

However, the proposals do not appear to affect the Coalition's plans to relax entertainment licensing for small gigs. Regulated entertainment remains the responsibility of DCMS. The Home Office consultation document includes this statement:

'The Government will be consulting separately on the Coalition's proposals to deregulate live music and similar performances.'
Source: 'Rebalancing the Licensing Act: a consultation on empowering individuals, families and local communities to shape and determine local licensing,' Executive Summary, para 1.01, p4. See PDF file: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/cons-2010-licensing-act/alcohol-consultation?view=Binary

In the House of Commons on Monday 26 July, licensing minister John Penrose would not be drawn when asked to give a date for reform of the Licensing Act to exempt small gigs.

Chris Heaton-Harris, the Conservative MP for Daventry, said: 'I wish to press my hon. Friend because I would like a date or time scale for the removal of these measures, which were introduced in the Licensing Act 2003 and which have been so detrimental to live music.'

Penrose replied: 'I am afraid that I cannot give my hon. Friend a precise date, if only because the devil is in the detail. I can only assure him that we are working through these measures as quickly as possible. A number of stakeholders - as the jargon has it - have to be consulted, and today I had meetings with people from the Local Government Association and Local Government Regulation in order to ensure that all the relevant people have been consulted. We will do it as fast as we can.'

See Hansard: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100726/debtext/100726-0001.htm

And trade press coverage: http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67577

I asked the DCMS press office earlier this afternoon to confirm whether or not an entirely new public consultation on an exemption for small gigs was planned. At the time of writing DCMS had not replied.

It may be that when the Home Office says the government will be 'consulting separately' for live music this does not mean repeating the public consultation on a small gigs exemption that was concluded earlier this year by the previous government.

ENDS

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 12:49 PM

What exactly is going on?

The following comment from John King

Is 'binge drinking' on the increase? No.
Are there more licensed premises? No.
Is alcohol related crime rising? No.

http://www.straightstatistics.org/article/britain-really-drowning-booze

Everybody knows that drinking in the UK is out of control, driven by a combination of feckless consumers and complacent supermarkets offering cheap deals. But is everybody right?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 02:19 PM

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/07/29/governments-claim-on-alcohol-crime-blown-apart/

Government's alcohol crime claims fall down.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 05:58 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/87882?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

Home Office minister James Brokenshire
"The majority of pubs and bars are well run businesses but the Government believes the system needs to be rebalanced in favour of the local communities they serve, with tougher action to crack down on the small number of premises who cause problems."

Translated: In a vain attempt to satisfy those who still read the Daily Mail and despite the statistics, the LGA Group lobby will be given yet more powers to further over-regulate and penalise the law-abiding majority in our local communities in a vain attempt to address the already illegal activities of a minority, which no one appears to have any idea on how to prevent.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 06:30 AM

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Pub-landlord-fears-for-his-licence-over-complaints.htm

Pub landlord fears for his licence over 'complaints'
A FRUSTRATED landlord in Burton fears his licence will be revoked following what he claims is a catalogue of "unfair and unfounded complaints".