In 2005, the Licensing Act came into effect, and Fylde Borough Council took over responsibility for issuing licences for the sale of alcohol, from the Magistrates. After asking residents, businesses and the statutory authorities for their opinions about what we planned to do, we issued our first Statement of Licensing Policy in January 2005. This is a key document that provides guidance to local businesses, organisations and individuals when applying for an alcohol licence or the provision of entertainment. It sets out clearly the issues that the Council will consider when looking at these applications, which include how the four licensing objectives set out below should be addressed:
- the prevention of crime and disorder
- public safety
- prevention of public nuisance, and
- the protection of children from harm.
The Statement of Licensing Policy is also used by the Fylde Borough Council’s Licensing Committee and Panels, which are responsible for deciding on all cases where relevant representations against an application have been received. In these cases, the policy sets out what issues the Committee or Panels can consider when reaching their decision.
All licensing authorities are required by law to prepare, consult on and then re-publish their licensing policy every five years (every 3 years prior to 2013) and the latest revision took place during 2015.
This consultation exercise was conducted between 21st September 2015 and 22nd November 2015. All of the responses received were recorded and can now be viewed in the Summary of the Representations and Responses Received which can be downloaded from the link on this page. For ease of reference, comments are listed under the name of each organisation or body that responded. Each respondent is identified and each issue they raised is assessed in the third column of the document. The final column of the schedule then sets out the recommendations that will be made to the Council in respect of proposed amendments to the draft document.
As a result of this feedback, we are confident that the final document will accurately reflect the views that emerged as a result of this consultation. It seeks to strike a balance between allowing Fylde’s entertainment venues the greater freedoms and flexibility that the Licensing Act offers allowing them to thrive whilst at the same time protecting public safety and the quality of life for everyone who lives, works or visits the borough. It will now be kept under constant review and will be re-published at least every five years.
