Licensing Act 2003 Policy

Introduction
As part of the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003, the council prepared a formal statement of licensing policy, which came into effect on 7th January 2005 and was reviewed as of 7th January 2008.

Further details about the legislation can be found through the links to the left.

Statement of Licensing Policy
The council's current statement of licensing policy explains how the Licensing Authority will exercise its licensing functions under the new Act. It is available via the link to the right.

Licensing Objectives
Central to the statement of licensing policy is the promotion of the four key licensing objectives, as set out in section 4 to the Act, which are:

• the prevention of crime and disorder

• public safety

• prevention of public nuisance, and

• the protection of children from harm

In carrying out its licensing functions, the Council is obliged to have regard to these objectives, its Statement of Licensing Policy and the guidance issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport under section 182 of the Act.

Duration and Review
The legislation provides for the statement of licensing policy to remain in place for a three-year period, but may be reviewed and modified during this period. The original policy came into effect in January 2005, and was reviewed with effect from January 2008.

On 17th September 2008 the council resolved to consult interested parties in relation to revisions to its adopted statement. Following police advice it is proposed to adopt a cumulative impact policy (CIP) as an addition to the overarching statement of licensing policy (SLP) which gives guidance as to how the council will deal with applications under the Licensing Act 2003.

Proposed Cumulative Impact Policy
The CIP will cover three specific areas, namely Above Bar, London Road/Bedford Place and Bevois Valley Road. The effect of the CIP, if adopted, will be that, generally, no additional licensed premises or significant variation of hours of operating will be permitted unless the applicant can demonstrate to the council, as Licensing Authority, that the intended changes will not have an adverse impact on the area.

The draft revisions to the SLP, police evidence, plans and covering report to council which gives background information can be found via the links on the right of this page.

Consultation on the proposals is now taking place until 31st December 2008. If you have any views on the proposals the council would be pleased to hear from you before this date. Please email licensing.policy@southampton.gov.uk or write to the address below. It would be appreciated if you were to clearly indicate that your communication relates to the Licensing Act 2003 proposed cumulative impact policy.

The matter is intended to be reconsidered by council at its meeting on 21st January 2009.

Email: licensing.policy@southampton.gov.uk

Telephone: 023 8083 2715

Fax: 023 8083 4061

Postal address:
The Licensing Team
Southampton City Council
PO Box 1344
Southampton
SO15 1WQ

Document Exchange: DX 115710 Southampton 17

Personal callers:
The Licensing Team
Southbrook Rise
4-8 Millbrook Road East
Southampton
SO15 1YG

Opening hours:
Members of the licensing team will normally be available at Southbrook Rise to assist personal callers on weekdays between 09:00 and 12:00 and between 14:00 and 16:00. We may be available at other times by prior appointment.

Please note that the addresses and numbers given above should only be used for communication with the licensing team.