Council seeks views on Statement of Licensing Policy 2024 to 2029

Interested parties are invited to have their say on Shropshire Council’s revised Statement of Licensing Policy 2024 to 2029.

The policy provides guidance to anyone with an interest in licensing under the Act; in particular, but not restricted to:-

• people who wish to apply for premises licences, club premises certificates, temporary event notices and personal licences
• people who hold existing licences and notices, including those that are the subject of review
• Shropshire Council, in its capacity as the licensing authority, including licensing officers and members of the relevant licensing committees
• licensing consultants, solicitors and barristers advising and/or representing applicants and licence/notice holders
• the responsible authorities under the Licensing Act 2003
• magistrates and judges hearing appeals against Shropshire Council decisions.

Under the Licensing Act 2003 (‘the Act’), Shropshire Council is the licensing authority and is responsible for licensing and overseeing licensable activities as set out in the Act.

The Licensing Act 2003 requires the council to prepare and publish a statement of licensing policy with respect to its licensing functions at least every five years.

As part of the process the council will be consulting on a general basis, but in particular with all responsible authorities under the Licensing Act, and organisations who represent the interests of persons carrying on licensable activities and organisations who represent persons who are likely to be affected by the exercise of the council’s functions under this Act.

Richard Marshall, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and regulatory services, said:-

“The council is required to prepare a statement of the principles that it proposes to apply in exercising its functions under the Licensing Act during the next five years, and to then publish that statement.

“We’ve taken the opportunity to revise the content of the policy to reflect the latest guidance issued under the Act and amendments made to the Act itself since the current policy was adopted. The policy also provides practical clarity to existing and potential licence holders, and assists council officers to correctly apply the legal provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

“I would encourage all interested parties to take part and provide feedback on the revised content in our current policy.”

Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s head of business and consumer protection, said:-

“The preparation, consultation and publication process that is being undertaken is a legal requirement placed on the council. However, this is not only about the council complying with its legal obligations: this is a genuine opportunity for all stakeholders to make their views known, and I encourage everyone who wishes to comment to do so over the next 10 weeks.”

Roy Aldcroft, Chair of Shropshire Council’s Strategic Licensing Committee, said:-

“The Licensing Act covers a number of activities that affect us all as we go about our daily lives. From the bottle of wine that we buy at the supermarket to enjoy at the weekend, to the play that we go and see at the local village hall, to the drink we enjoy with friends at the local pub, and the wide range of takeaways that we buy from late at night.

“It is hoped that the proposed policy will support both businesses offering these goods and services, as well as our residents.

“I would encourage everyone who has any concerns that our proposed policy does not sufficiently support these objectives to make their views known as soon as possible, and clearly to do so before the consultation period ends.”

The consultation period closes on Sunday 27 August 2023 at midnight.  The draft ‘Statement of Principles’ is available to view at Statement of Licensing Policy 2024 – 2029 consultation | Shropshire Council

All comments and representations should be made, and further advice may be sought from, the licensing team at:-

Email: licensing@shropshire.gov.uk

Phone: 0345 678 9026

Post: Trading standards and licensing, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6ND

Further information

Shropshire Council, as the licensing authority for the Shropshire Council area, has commenced a consultation process on its Statement of Licensing Policy under provisions contained in the Licensing Act 2003.

Following the formal consultation process, an analysis of the responses received will be undertaken and the results collated for the Strategic Licensing Committee to consider. A revised policy document will be made available to the Strategic Licensing Committee in time to ensure the revised policy is in force by 1 April 2024.