In addition to giving oral evidence, the LGA has provided written evidence to the House of Lords enquiry into the effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003.
- The LGA believes that the Licensing Act 2003 provides a sound framework that allows for local decision-making to protect the public, support local businesses and enables councils to take action against mismanaged premises. Whilst this Act should remain in place, there is a need for reform to allow councils to effectively resource, scrutinise, and monitor the licensing system.
- Although the Act does not require substantial change, it should be amended to include a public health objective. The need for this objective is reinforced by an LGA survey which showed 89 per cent of Directors of Public Health support its inclusion[1]. There should also be a comprehensive policy on alcohol, which encompasses licensing, treatment, taxation and advertising. Currently, there is a too narrow emphasis on crime and disorder, whereas health and wellbeing should also be taken into account. We are pleased the Health Committee supported the inclusion of a public health objective in planning and licensing law, to give councils greater powers to tackle the health issues in their communities.
- The Act is underfunded as a result of the fees being fixed nationally in 2005 when the Act was first introduced. This means local government as a whole has to subsidise this work by £10.3 million each year and the LGA is therefore calling on Government to localise licensing fees in line with its earlier commitments.
- Central government needs to develop a comprehensive policy and approach on alcohol, encompassing licensing, treatment, taxation and advertising, as these can have a significant impact on people's health and wellbeing. Currently, there is a too narrow emphasis on crime and disorder.
- The LGA is lobbying for comprehensive licensing reform of local government licensing based on proposals set out in our Rewiring Licensing report
Results of the pre-loading survey conducted at the request of the committee
You can find out more about the Select Committee, including other written and oral responses, here.