From DCMS today
The Licensing Act (section 182) Guidance has been amended to take account of:
These processes came into force on 29 July 2009. The revision to the Guidance was laid before Parliament on 9 July. New version here.
The Minor Variations process is designed to allow licensees to make small changes to their licences more quickly and cheaply. Removing the requirement for a designated premises supervisor and personal licence at a community premises allows the management committee of village halls, church halls, chapel halls, community halls and similar community premises to apply to be collectively responsible for the supervision of alcohol sales instead of a designated person with a personal licence.
These changes follow last year which caused consternation amongst residents' groups. The Morning Advertiser puts the following spin on the news:
The new application process for minor variations to licences could save the industry up to £2.3m a year. It will make it easier for licensees to change the layout of their premises, serve hot food after 11pm or put on some live music events. The cost of the new process will be less than £100 – compared to the previous average fee of around £225. Under the new system the applicant will fill in a short form, pay a flat rate of £89 and will wait no more than 15 days for a response, against 28 days at present.
There will also no longer be a requirement to advertise in a newspaper or for the licensee to make responsible authorities aware. Village halls will also now be able to nominate the management committee, rather than an individual, as the designated premises supervisor. “We realise that licensees are going through difficult times — that is why it is so important that we remove any unnecessary burdens," said Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.
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