Introduction

This Statement of Licensing Policy is based upon the Licensing Act 2003 ("the Act") and is in line with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Guidance to Local Authorities and takes effect from 7 February 2008.

The policy relates to all those licensing activities identified as falling within the provisions of the Act, wherever they take place, namely:

• retail sale of alcohol
• supply of alcohol to club members
• provision of 'regulated entertainment' - to the public, to club members or with a view to profit:
  • a performance of a play
  • an exhibition of a film
  • an indoor sporting event
  • boxing or wrestling entertainment
  • a performance of live music
  • any playing of recorded music
  • a performance of dance
  • provision of facilities for making music
  • provision of facilities for dancing
• the supply of hot food and/or hot drink from any premises including food stalls between 11pm and 5am.

Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 requires a licensing authority to prepare and publish a statement of its licensing policy every three years.

Such a policy must be published before the authority carries out any function in respect of individual applications made under the terms of the Act.

The licensing authority will keep the policy statement under constant review and make such revisions to it, as it considers appropriate. Where revisions are made, the licensing authority shall publish a statement of revisions or a revised licensing policy statement.

The Act makes provision for the licensing of individuals for the retail sale of alcohol (personal licences), the licensing of premises for the retail sale of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment or late night refreshments (premises licence), the supply of alcohol or the provision of regulated entertainment in certain clubs (club premises certificates) and the permitting of certain licensable activities on a temporary basis (temporary event notice).

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