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LICENSING BILL 2002 (THE WHITE PAPER)

Your livelihood is about to change ...

Children will be able to visit pubs unaccompanied as the reforms relax licensing laws and change the way licences are granted.

The White Paper aims to:

• simplify the current complex system of restrictions
• transfer powers to local councils from the Magistrates Courts
• reform the application procedure
• introduce new personal licences as well as premises licences.

“In reality, the proposed flexibility would allow children of any age to sit in a licensed premises without adult supervision at any hour."
Tory peer Baroness Buscombe

• all existing licence holders must apply for a new premises licence.
   
• Variation of new licences has to be dealt with by Sefton within two months of the application.
   
• If they are not, then they will be rejected.
   
• the transfer to local authorities must happen by the summer of 2004.
   
• Local authorities, including Sefton, may struggle to meet the timetable and, if fees are set too low, the scheme will be underfunded and the council will be unable to cope.

Musicians ... could face fines of up to £20,000 or three months in jail if they play in premises without appropriate authorisation for live music ... The new rules affect not just musicians playing in bars and clubs but
even public carol singers and church bell ringers, BBCi

The Licensing Bill can be found at the government’s website UKonline.gov.uk at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldbills/001/2003001.htm

Click here to email the licensing team