Wiltshire Council seeking views on its licensing policy

Thursday, 18 April 2024 01:00

Wiltshire Council is seeking views on its licensing policy, which sets out how the council will manage local licensing and will provide clarity for residents, businesses and all those who make licence applications.

As the Licensing Authority, Wiltshire Council is required, under the Licensing Act 2003, to promote four objectives, namely:

The prevention of crime and disorder Public safety The prevention of public nuisance The protection of children from harm

The licensing policy sets out how the council would normally apply its functions under the Licensing Act 2003, particularly when making decisions on applications for premises licences, club premises certificates and temporary event notices.

The council’s current Statement of Licensing Policy came into effect on 10 November 2019 and will cease to have effect on 9 November 2024, and so it must be in a position to formally adopt a revised policy from November this year. To satisfy the specific legal requirements set out in the Licensing Act, the council must carry out a consultation process on the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Licensed premises play a prominent and important part in our local communities and we would welcome the views of our residents, or indeed anyone who has an interest in licensing and the promotion of the licensing objectives, so that we can formalise our next policy.”

The policy must be consulted on with a range of specific stakeholders including licence holders, police, fire and rescue, businesses and residents of the area. The consultation is now open and will run for six weeks. The consultation can be found at Draft Licensing Policy 2024-29 consultation (wiltshire.gov.uk). Paper copies are also available in Wiltshire Council libraries.

The results of the consultation will be reported back to the council’s Licensing Committee at its meeting in June. The draft policy can be found at Statement-of-licensing-policy-Draft 2024-2029.pdf (wiltshire.gov.uk)

More from Local News

Tributes paid to Stuart Withers after fatal accident in Salisbury

Tributes are being paid to Stuart Withers, who was knocked down and killed in an accident in Salisbury yesterday (22nd November) morning.
Salisbury's match against Maidstone United is ON

Salisbury's match against Maidstone United this afternoon is ON!
Shops tested on 'Challenge 25 policy' when selling knives

Almost 60% of shops visited by during a week of action focusing on knife crime passed the 'Challenge 25 policy' and didn't sell knives or bladed articles to under-age shoppers.
SEND families invited to online meeting to hear updates on SEND support

Wiltshire Council is inviting families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to participate in an online session as part of the consultation on the funding for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Longleat closed today due to bad weather

Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire will be closed today (Saturday 23 November) due to the forecast of strong winds.
Salisbury MP visits local primary school

Salisbury's MP has visited Winterbourne Earls Primary School and answered children's questions on a range of subjects.
Man in his 70s dies after Exeter Street collision

A man in his 70s has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Salisbury City Centre this morning (22nd November).
Weather Warning: Salisbury set for Heavy Rain this weekend

The Met Office has put a yellow weather warning in place across the area thanks to Storm Bert.