Licensing Act 2003

Licensing Objectives

The new legislation seeks to:

• Modernise and integrate the various licensing systems
• Make applications simple and reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation on business
• Transfer drinks licensing from Magistrates to the Local Authority so that local needs and issues can be considered when granting licences. The Council has produced a Policy on how it will consider applications.
• Strike a balance between reducing crime and disorder, and encourage responsible drinking, tourism and business support
• Strike a balance between the rights of licensees and the communities in which they operate

The Act specifies that the licensing system has four objectives, and these are the only matters that will be considered in determining applications as follows:-

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm