Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a report of the Chief Licensing Officer to notify Members of amendments made to the Licensing Act (2003 Act) by the Live Music Act 2012 as part of the Government’s reforms.

7.2

It was noted that key changes to the Act were as follows;

• Remove the licensing requirement for unamplified live music taking place between 0800 hours and 2300 hours in all venues, subject to the right of the Licensing Authority to impose conditions about live music following a review of the premises licence or club premises certificate relating to premises authorised to supply alcohol for consumption on the premises;
• Remove the licensing requirement for amplified live music taking place between 0800 hours  and 2300 hours before audiences of no more than 200 persons on premises authorised to supply alcohol for consumption on the premises, subject to the right of the Licensing Authority to impose conditions about live music following a review of the premises licence or club premises certificate;
• Remove the licensing requirement for amplified live music taking place between 0800 hours and 2300 hours before audiences of no more than 200 persons in workplaces not otherwise licensed under the 2003 Act (or licensed only for the provision of late night refreshment);
• Remove the licensing requirement for the provision of regulated entertainment facilities; and
• Widen the licensing exemption for live music integral to a performance of Morris Dancing or dancing of a similar type.

7.3

Steve Lonnia, Chief Licensing Officer, expressed concerns that the new policies were potentially a ‘step backwards’, and that, if a music event was managed poorly, it could be dangerous no matter how large or small the venue was. He added that a lot of these changes had been pushed forward by the Live Music Forum, which was a group of independent live music campaigners, founded in 1993, to oppose restrictions on the presentation of live music.

7.4

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the contents of the report now submitted.