Expert solicitors in licensing and gambling law


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Licensing News

DPS Proposals for community halls

The Government have published proposals to reduce bureaucracy and costs for village halls and similar community premises that sell alcohol.

Currently every licensed premises must have a named premises supervisor, who has responsibility for authorising all sales of alcohol and must complete a training course. The Government is responding to concerns from community groups about the costs and difficulties in finding an individual volunteer to act as premises supervisor by removing this requirement, subject to agreement by the police.

Under the new arrangements, a management board or committee would have collective responsibility for the licence and supervision of the premises and the sale of alcohol. However the licence could still be reviewed if residents, the police or any other responsible authority had concerns and this could lead to the reinstatement of the requirement for a designated premises supervisor.

4.8.08

Licensing Act Review

It has been announced that a review of the effects of the Licensing Act will take place in the near future. A committee of MPs will investigate :

whether there has been any change in levels of public nuisance, numbers of night-time offences or perceptions of public safety
the impact of the Act on the performance of live music
the financial impact of the Act on sporting and social clubs
whether the Act has led, or looks likely to lead, to a reduction in bureaucracy for those applying for licences under the new regime and for those administering it
whether the anticipated financial savings for relevant industries will be realised.

More details will follow in due course

18.7.08

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