Licensing consultation announced!

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 12:14 PM

The following month, the managers of the club successfully applied for a new licence which gave the venue permission to play recorded, but not live, music.

So once again - non- amplified live music, which would not be a noise concern is being needlesly prevented by legislation which seemingly is so unfocused that it, or those who are paid to enforce it, are unable or unwilling to make the distinction.

This now common approach - for local authority employees to see live music only in terms of any public order concerns that may be associated along with it - is a bit like an approach by the fire services that would ban all the joy and knowleged contained in books, simply because they are combustable and a potential fire risk.

All cultural activities urgently need rescuing from this approach and taken out of the hands of the vandals that we are paying, before it is too late.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 11:57 AM

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/politics/tories_set_to_face_excess_noise_probe_following_conservative_club_complaints_1_1

In March this year, the Conservative and Unionist Club in New Street, Weedon, had its licence revoked by members of Conservative-led Daventry District Council following complaints of noise nuisance and disturbances.

The following month, the managers of the club successfully applied for a new licence which gave the venue permission to play recorded, but not live, music.

Nobody from the Towcester Conservative Club was available for comment as the Chronicle & Echo went to press last night.

The hearing about the club's licence will be held at South Northamptonshire Council's offices in Towcester next week.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 10:35 AM

http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/agendas/eng/LICC20100504/REP06.HTM

The following comments from John King:
A unique twist to the two-in-a-bar rule. Two musicians are OK. Three or more musicians and Carmarthenshire Council insist on door supervisors.

"Whenever regulated entertainment takes place with more than two performers door supervisors should be ...employed".

Of course the 'two-in-a-bar rule' is no longer in the legislation and the number of musicians is not a factor but the employees will pay no attention to these small technical points.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 10:26 AM

http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/tidnews/8402256.Forest_Tea_House_can_sell_alcohol/

A RESTAURATEUR has won permission to sell alcohol at his New Forest tea rooms despite local opposition.

But following a raft of worries from residents, Charles Bruske dropped his application for a music licence for the Forest Tea House and Restaurant in Pound Lane and accepted hours limited to 9am to 7pm.

John King comments:
Alcohol yes. Afternoon jazz no.

...'full permission for booze and music will shatter the peace and security of their village'

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 06:58 AM

That such red tape has stifled the provision of live music in small venues is irrefutable.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/feargal--sharkey-the-act-killing-live-music-2083883.html


But the bill's opponents maintain there is no problem with the current licensing situation. 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.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/28970/private-members-bill-seeks-to-relax-live

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 06:36 AM

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Bar-faces-losing-late-night-licence/article-2573329-detail/article.html

Christopher Lewis said: "On a Friday and Saturday night it's like being in Ibiza.

"It's the bang, bang, bang which is really unbearable. When it used to be live music it wasn't so bad.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 06:29 AM

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/feargal--sharkey-the-act-killing-live-music-2083883.html

Feargal Sharkey: The act killing live music.

However, outdated stereotypes about "the industry" do raise some pertinent questions: for one, if the rest of the world perceives the UK as a musical powerhouse, why are we apparently unable to recognise what's in our own backyard? And why aren't we doing more to harness what is undoubtedly a growth sector? Especially in times of economic uncertainty. The current Licensing Act offers a case in point. Back in 2003, it was anticipated that this legislation – aimed primarily at relaxing drinking regulations – would lead to an "explosion" in live music.

The Act brought in a number of changes. The "two in a bar" rule was discontinued, while any venue wanting to put on live music events now had to receive authorisation from their local authority. That such red tape has stifled the provision of live music in small venues is irrefutable.

Under the previous government, this was a conclusion reached by eight separate consultations, two government research projects, two national review processes and a Parliamentary Select Committee report. All recommended that small venues were exempt from the licensing regime. With exquisite timing, Government announced yet another consultation on New Year's Eve 2009, and – as predicted – it was timed out with the announcement of a General Election.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 02:11 AM

Limits on the type of music or the number of 'performers' are not to be made conditions of licenses. But our licensing employees, if they are aware of this limitation of their powers, do not seem to have any intention of following the legislation and no one seems to be able to make them.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: Howard Jones
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 12:44 PM

'live music will consist of one performer using an instrument not powered by electricity'.

Presumably this would be permitted, then.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 08:05 AM

http://www.selby.gov.uk/upload/Minutes_to_Capri_Hearing-261107.doc

John King Comments:
Here's Selby Council hard at work stamping out incidental music in a restaurant.

Capri Restaurant had this restriction imposed on their licence: 'live music will consist of one performer using an instrument not powered by electricity'.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 08:04 AM

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.selby.gov.uk%2Fupload%2FMinutes_to_Tadcaster_Boys_School_Hearing-270209.doc&h=1

The following from John King:

Selby Council now require prior written approval for Carol singing in a Sunday School.

Boy's Sunday School, Tadcaster applied for a premises licence for '...School Concerts which could supply cheese and wine, Christmas Carol Evening with m...ulled wine instead of having to apply for a special licence to hold such events...'

Selby Council added this condition: 'Amplified and non-amplified music, singing and speech associated with the regulated entertainment shall only be carried out inside the premises expect with the prior written approval of the Licensing Authority'

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 08:03 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-11340226

Selby school cancels outside break in row over noise.

Children at a school near Selby have had a play break cancelled and hard ball games banned after neighbours complained to the council about noise.

Barlby Community Primary School has also put up a soundproof fence because it fears a noise abatement order.

The school said the decisions were "regrettable" but necessary to prevent the chance of a notice being served.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 10:24 AM

More from the submission from Waveney Council

(b) there is no statistical evidence that live music is being deterred. The unspecified 'anecdotal' instances of deterrence referred to in the consultation paper are in our view likely to be exceptional and unusual occurrences rather than normal practice.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 02:05 PM

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.waveney.gov.uk%2Fagendas%2F2010%2Fmarch%2Flicensing%2Fitem4appc.doc&h=ad89e

The following from John King:
Waveney Council's response to the DCMS licensing consultation states:

'We are very strongly of the view, from our experience in this district that live music is NOT being deterred by the provisions of the Act... The majority of licensed premises in o...ur area had a live music permission of some description'

According to the last licensing 'statistical' bulletin, Waveney had 456 licensed premises, and only 96 premises have authorised facilities for 'making music'. That's 21%. Not 50%+ is it?

This document also states - Having carefully reviewed the proposed legislative reform, subject of the above consultation, key members and officers of Waveney District Council are very strongly of the view that the proposed Legislative Reform Order (LRO) to exempt as 'regulated entertainment' small live music events for performances to up to 100 persons should NOT be passed, and request that this Council's views be seriously considered as part of the consultation by the Department.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 01:56 PM

http://ww3.watford.gov.uk/egenda/akswatford/images/att3957.pdf

John King comments:
At West Herts College, ONE representation results in the banning of amplified live music. Recorded is music is allowed.

'Following discussions with Environmental Health the applicant requested that the following conditions be added to their operating schedule: Plays and live music will feature acoustic sounds only; there will be no amplified music or speech.'

The following from Watford Council's Statement of Licensing Policy:

'We encourage greater live music, dance, theatre and other forms of entertainment for the wider cultural benefit of the community. However, we will seek to strike a balance between the potenti...al for limited neighbourhood disturbance and the benefits of cultural activities and we will not allow the views of vocal minorities to predominate over the general interests of thecommunity. We will as far as possible avoid measures that deter live music, dance, theatre and entertainment...'

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 01:47 PM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1311628/David-Camerons-big-society-dream-free-red-tape.html

It was interesting how many of our staff helped to produce the list. Not everybody in the public sector relishes being a jobsworth bureaucrat. Many who became Licensing Officers, or Planning Officers or Highways Officers wanted to provide decent public service.

We want to abolish the regulation stating that schools, churches and village halls must apply for a licence in order to hold an event involving music. Currently, the organisers of such events are required to complete in triplicate a ten page form, most of which is irrelevant.

We back an exemption for small businesses from licensing requirements for live entertainment for all events attracting an audience of fewer than 200. The Environmental Protection Act legislates for dealing with loud music in any case. Why discriminate against live music?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 01:28 PM

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/8397270.No_drunks_in_our_tearoom__say_residents_of_Burley/

WORRIED residents claim a licence for music and alcohol at a village tearoom will spark drunken disorder.

And they are set to descend on a district council meeting today, to drive home their concerns over crime, pedestrian safety and noise.

Last week's meeting ended with a compromise agreement reached for no alcohol to be served after 6pm and no music.

But at the last minute, Mr Bruske has decided to continue with the original application.

Resident Jane Kendall, who has organised the campaign, said: "I am furious.

"I am against the application for music and alcohol because there are lots of elderly people who live here and they get very distressed at the disruption alcohol can cause.

"This is a very quiet residential area. We already have coaches encroaching on the pavements here and elderly people, children and mothers with pushchairs are forced off the pavements. We have our horses and our cows roaming the streets every day. We thought we had reached an agreement but at the eleventh hour it's all been changed."

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 01:17 PM

http://news.leicester.gov.uk/newsArchiveDetail.aspx?Id=294

First seizure of noise equipment from city club
10/09/2010

NOISE control officers have seized equipment from a city nightclub after ongoing complaints about late-night loud music.

Leicester City Council's Noise Control Team seized 18 items of noise equipment, including loudspeakers, amplifiers and mixing desks, from La Belle Africaine, in Jubilee Road, off Belgrave Gate, on Friday, September 10.

It is obvious that the use of additional entertainment permission as contained in the Licensing Act 2003 (which was obtained in this case) is not an effective means of dealing with noise.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 01:08 PM

http://www.exeter.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=14319&p=0

The following from John King:
In Exeter anything is possible. The neighbour who just moved in is pregnant and a noise limiter is installed in order to 'protect children from harm'.

There has been a pub on this site for 200 years. Is it really acceptable that people who choose to move close to an exisiting pub can effectivly complain about the normal operations of a pub and such a complaint will be judged as valid?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 04:49 PM

From the Report on Three Rivers District Council.

Prior to the Licensing Act 2003 coming into force in November 2005, all licensed premises would have been able to provide live music under the 'two in-a-bar' rule, and other exemptions from licensing.

As at August 2010, 83% of all licensed premises in Three Rivers are not now authorised to stage live music.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 02:52 PM

OOps! Wrong link. this is the one.

http://www.livemusicforum.co.uk/text/welwynthreeriverscasestudy.pdf

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 02:51 PM

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 02:49 PM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67901&c=1

John King comments:

Another case study into licensing restictions for live music. This time Three Rivers District Council, where 83% of all licensed premises now have NO authorisation for making music.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 02:45 PM

http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67901&c=1

A Home Office minister has argued the controversial licensing shake-up is not an attempt to "get at pubs", but admitted the consultation period would have been longer "in an ideal world".

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 06:33 AM

http://reggiestyles.blogspot.com/2010/09/inquiry-over-anti-urban-music-stance.html

A Manchester promoter is calling for a public inquiry to investigate what he claims is widespread and systematic discrimination against urban music concerts.

Gold National Events director Mike Forrester, whose own planned festival fell victim to over-zealous council officials, now believes there is a case for an investigation as part of a wider public inquiry into the licensing of events.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 04:11 PM

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/eastbourne-news/Eastbourne-pub-forced-to-shut.6524577.jp

In a bid to avoid a one-month licence suspension, Ms Johnson said Enterprise Inns would be happy for its license to play music to be removed.
She said, "We will remove everything which has caused the problems, which is the noise that has been coming from the live music and the DJs.
"As a result I suggest that door staff are removed because it will be put back to a traditional style pub."

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 05:21 PM

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Restaurant39s-marquee-could-be-pulled.6524569.jp

Restaurant's marquee could be pulled down!

10 September 2010
By Michael Peel
IT could finally be curtains for a "temporary" tent used for parties at a restaurant for at least four years.

John King comments:
If councils can't stop live music with the Licensing or Environmental Protection Acts they can still get you with planning regulations.

With planning and environmental legislation - the additional entertainment licensing legislation is expensive and needless duplication.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 02:48 PM

http://www.thisisdorset.co.uk/news/Protests-soccer-club-plans/article-2625962-detail/article.html

But, says Juliet Piddington, one of the directors of Wimborne Town Football Club, objectors have got it all wrong.

"We are not planning on having events every weekend. At the moment we hold two a year and at present are hoping to have possibly one more.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 02:39 PM

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Pub-abandons-music-plan-noise-fears/article-2618435-detail/article.html

THE OWNER of a Chulmleigh pub has withdrawn an application to stage live music after objections from nearby residents.

Local businessman Laurence Delamar, who owns the Globe Inn on Church Street, applied to North Devon Council for a live music licence in July this year.

Mr Delamar, who bought the pub in March, said he wanted to treat customers to calming, classical music played by a live pianist.

However, residents living near the pub said the licence would also grant permission for electrically amplified music which they felt would cause disturbance and excessive noise.

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

Meanwhile.

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/National-chain-keen-sell-noise-complaint-pub/article-2486758-detail/article.html

A CITY pub is to go on the market just months after the Echo revealed it faced closure over repeated noise complaints.

The Showman, in Cowick Street, St Thomas, had its licence reviewed by councillors in June. And the pub, which recently changed hands, was the subject of an environmental health investigation after reports of noise coming from both inside and outside the premises.

With the nunber of premises continuing to decrease - this Govt look set to reward local authorities with an increase in fees. Not sure how this can be justified on grounds of cost, as the cost of processing less and less premises must have reduced.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 06:00 AM

This link seems to work.......

http://www.instituteoflicensing.org/

Proposal to Enable local authorities to increase licensing fees so they are based on full cost recovery – 81.4% AGREED.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 05:57 AM

http://www.instituteoflicensing.org/article_id/1000466/2010/09/09/Institute+responds+to+Home+Office+'Rebalancing+the+Licensing+R


Proposal to Enable local authorities to increase licensing fees so they are based on full cost recovery – 81.4% AGREED.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 01:47 PM

http://www.music-dash.co.uk/news/news.asp?item=2743

News reaches us that Saki, one of ours and every supporter of up and coming music in Manchester's favourite live venues, is under threat once again from a local resident or residents complaining to the council about noise. A petition has been launched in support of this excellent little venue - that's at the bottom of the page, and we humbly request that if you enjoy the music of Manchester and beyond enough to be reading this, that you consider signing it.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 01:17 PM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/88280?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n

Pubs deemed to make a "substantial contribution to the local community" - and those receiving business rate relief - should be exempt from the proposed late-night levy.

Elsewhere, CAMRA's submission includes a range of suggestions to make the Government's plans fairer for pubs,

For example, it opposes the plan to increase licence fees based on full cost recovery, saying this will remove the incentive for councils to maximise their efficiency. CAMRA wants fees to be frozen.

CAMRA also opposes the idea of including the prevention of harm as a licensing objective, saying an "unintended consequence" could be health bodies opposing every application in an area.

This would increase the costs of the licensing system and fail to distinguish between "well-run community pubs" and "premises which could potentially pose a health risk".

Overall, the submission is highly critical of the planned policies.

It says: "Unless substantially amended, this package of measures will impose significant harm to consumers, the hospitality sector and tourism."

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 12:42 PM

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Residents-complain-over-restaurant-noise.6521689.jp

Residents complain over restaurant noise!
Published Date: 09 September 2010
A SOUTHSEA restaurant faces having its licence to stage live music taken away after complaints from neighbours.

Portsmouth City Council's licensing committee will meet on Friday to review the licence of Restaurant 69 in Castle Road, after neighbours raised objections about live music.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 12:37 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/7963707/Festival-boss-forced-to-monitor-sound-levels.html

Festival boss forced to monitor sound levels
A festival boss is being forced to monitor sound levels at the house of the only person ever to complain about noise from his carnival - even though the homeowner is on holiday.

The festival, which was attended by 30,000 people last year and is now in its 20th year, is a celebration of brewing heritage and combines 'music, traditional dance, crafts and food and drink'

The cultural enjoyment of 30,000 over a weekend -v- one complainent: The answer is here. It must be cheaper for the council to pay for the complainent's holiday than the cost they incur in weekend wages for the council employees attendence. There is a harmful lack of balance here, against the pleasures of the many, toward over-regulation in favour of a few. The claim that this complaint involves has any additional and real public safety concerns is bogus and is is a common theme being shown eleswhere.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 02:18 AM

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2010-09-06b.12173.h

Licensing Laws: Entertainers
Culture Media and Sport
Written answers and statements, 6 September 2010

John Whittingdale (Maldon, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport

(1) if he will (a) publish the findings of and (b) respond to the previous administration's consultation on an exemption to the Licensing Act 2003 for small venues with a capacity of 100 hosting live performances;

(2) what recent discussions he has had on the operation of the Licensing Act 2003 with trade unions representing performers;

(3) what plans he has to review the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 affecting venues hosting live music performances; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what assessment he has made of the merits of reviewing the Licensing Act 2003 with a view to creating a portable licence for travelling performers; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Hunt (Secretary of State, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport; South West Surrey, Conservative)

The Government are committed to moving quickly to reduce red tape around live music and other forms of live performances, including those by travelling performers. However we want to get this right, so I have been talking to people from the sector and from local government to get their views. I hope to bring forward proposals as soon as possible.

Responses to the live music consultation were published on 26 June 2010 and can be accessed at:

http://www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/7150.aspx.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:33 PM

http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/6-living/hcs/licensing/public-register/restaurant/pdf/tamarind-chadwell-heath2.pdf

The following comments from John King:

Another premises with a genre restriction, this time 'jazz duet with amplifier'. Live music is only allowed on Fridays and Saturdays, but any genre of recorded music is allowed seven days a week.

LACORS:... "councils are not against live music"

How can live music possibly survive when it is so totally placed in the hands of those with no understanding of its requirements. It would not be so bad if this approach was intentional but it is simply over-regulation for its own sake and careless - which is really far worse.

As these premises only have permission for a jazz duet with amplifier - a non - amplified jazz duet or any other type of live music will be a breach of the Premises Licence. For which the licensee faces a £20,000 fine or 6 months in prison..........

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 07:41 AM

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2010/09/07/huddersfield-new-street-restaurant-shabab-gets-go-ahead-for-

John King comments:
After a premises licence hearing, Kirklees Council finally allow an Indian Restaurant permission for six tables in the street during the day. But an object...ion from a prohibitionist councillor means alcohol cannot be served outside. (The meeting was held at a Methodist Housing Mission)

So much for the 'continental cafe culture' promised by DCMS.

Clr Christine Stanfield said she "liked the idea" but queried the menu. Mr Nazir told her the outside area would have a separate, set menu.

Is what is on the menu covered under the 4 licensing objectives?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 07:25 AM

http://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/8364235.Council_to_review_Blake_Hall_licence_after_noise_complaints/?ref=mc

THE owner of a popular Bridgwater venue has described claims that his club is too loud as "ridiculous".

Sedgemoor District Council's licensing panel is meeting tomorrow to review the premises licence at Blake Hall in St Saviours Road following a complaint about noise levels.

John King comments:

Blake Hall 'backed by an army of supporters' face a premises licence review on the basis of ONE complaint which, according to the Bridgewater Mercury, the complainant denies having made.

Is this really in the public interest?

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:35 AM

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/88260?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ma-rss-all-n


Late night trade group Noctis said it has "major issues" with the way the Government's licensing consultation has been conducted, believing it has been compromised to fit in with an "overly ambitious parliamentary timetable".

The trade body, which represents late night bars and clubs, stressed it was no coincidence that the other two pieces of legislation to breach the Better Regulation principles of a 12-week consultation had been the "flawed" Alcohol Disorder Zones and the Mandatory Code.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:07 AM

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Subtone-nightclub-Cheltenham-wants-party-6am/article-2618184-detail/article.html

Alcohol abuse specialist Con Twomey, from Chipping Campden, has supported residents' arguments against the extension. He added: "I just don't see the benefits that are gained from having alcohol supplied at that hour."

John King comments:
If 'promotion of public health' becomes a licensing objective every licence application will face objections from prohibitionists.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:57 AM

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/stockton/premlic.htm

Stockton-on-Tees Council: 'If music is to be provided, it is important that clear indication is given of the type of music to be provided.'

John King comments:

Why does this matter? Because if an applicant describes the type of music as "jazz" on the operating schedule, then this is automatically added as a condition to the licence. The premises would be unable to book a "soul" act unless it first applied for a new licence or Temporary Event Notice.

LACORS are fully aware that it would be nearly impossible for a Court to define a genre of music, but this is a terrific deterrent for anyone thinking applying for a live music licence.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:53 AM

http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/business/licences/licensingact/premiseslicence/guidancenotes/premises-guidance.html

Calderdale Council also want to know: 'how many musicians it is proposed will be performing, what type of music they may play, and whether the music will be amplified or unamplified?'

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:50 AM

http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/ehws/licensing/premises-licence-guidance.en

Cambridge Council looking to impose genre restrictions on premises licences.

'If music is to be provided, then the type of music must also be stated.'

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 04:58 PM

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2010/09/03/strictly-no-dancing-in-huddersfield-town-centre-what-do-you-

NEVER MIND Strictly Come Dancing – it's strictly no dancing for one Huddersfield youth group.

Performing arts group Avenue2broadway Star have been told by Kirklees Council they can't perform in the town centre tomorrow.

It is shame that our protectors are not as good at making our streets safe and protecting us from crime as they are at preventing positive cultural activities.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 02:44 PM

http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/qol/2006/noise06.cfm

The following comments from John King:

Local Authorities receive about 350,000 noise complaints per year. How many of these are related to live music? Hardly any. Live music doesn't even get a mention in this research.

The Local Authorities (with help of local press) do seem to working hard to encourage more to be made....

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 01:52 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7984917/Local-Aged-Concern-elderly-charity-in-neighbourhood-noise-row.ht

Local Aged Concern elderly charity in neighbourhood noise row
A local charity has become embroiled in a neighbourhood noise row amid claims that Vera Lynn songs have been played too loudly.

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 10:01 AM

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/Direct/743432006CollegeBallGuidance.pdf

John King comments:

Oxford Council's guidance for college balls demands that the Environmental Health Officer is notified in advance of the 'type' of music to be performed.

'A schedule of events listing the times of the bands, DJ's and any other music, including the locatio...n within the College and the type of music etc. should be provided to the Environmental Health Officer as soon as reasonably possible (see attached Noise Risk Assessment form).'

Subject: RE: Licensing consultation announced!
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 09:54 AM

If filling in the whole consultation document is problematic - you can send your views in a message to the following:

[e-mail]

I have sent the following:

I have responded online to the questions but this is only half the story and I would like to add the following, for your consideration.

The whole package is flawed as it is based on a concern over alcohol and rather overlooks the fact that there is no longer an alcohol licence and that the document does not refer to any attempt to create one. There remains but one licence with one level of fees - The Premises Licence.

As a result, the measures proposed in this document to address alcohol-related problems will apply equally to premises which may not in fact serve any alcohol.

To take but one example: The proposal to increase licensing fees - due to some perceived problem with alcohol-related issues at some premises - will result in a school, hospital, cafe or coffee bar (which requires a Premises Licence to provide live music or the facilties to enable them) also having to pay any increase in fees.

It is quite unfair to proceed with any of these proposals until an alcohol only licence is re-introduced. The existing over-regulation needs to be addressed and the split of responsibilities between the Home Office and DCMS needs to be detailed and an full explanation needs to be agreed and suppled so that all proposals by this LibCon Govt to deal with areas currently covered by the Premises Licence are dealt with openly and at the same time.

To the disgrace of the previous Govt, the current expensive shambles which is the additional entertainment permission aspect of the Licensing Act 2003 has always suffered because the alcohol aspects were judged to be more important. One can only hope and trust that the current Govt will not make the same mistake - but in rushing through this consultation and these proposals, it would appear that they already have.