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Licensing News

This page is your one stop area for all the latest licensing news.

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Why is licensing important? Isn't it all just "red tape"?

The importance of licensing's role in protecting people has recently been highlighted in a number of high profile cases where failures to properly regulate business activity caused, in some cases significant, harm to people. The most prominent of these included a spate of child sexual-exploitation issues associated with poor regulation of the taxi and private hire trade but there are other examples of people and communities suffering harm from alcohol related ASB or animal welfare issues to mention only a few.

It is also important to recognise the role partnership and joint-working plays in licensing and business; when both parties work well together it is mutually beneficial. Good partnership between licensing regulators and business allows business to get on with what they do without explicit regulatory interference whilst on the other side reducing demand.

It is therefore not surprising that at the highest level of Government there is a great importance placed on proportionate regulation on businesses - including that of licensing regulation - to ensure that it is not stifling growth and industry. At Babergh & Mid Suffolk our approach is very much geared towards working with our businesses in a proportionate and collaborative way where we add value to your business, activities or events and target poor, dangerous or unlawful businesses which can harm the public or other businesses.

Making a payment for your licence

Please note the number to pay direct (if you are not sending a cheque) is 0300 123 4000. Licensing customers need to select Option 7 to speak to customer access to complete a payment or Option 6 to speak directly to the Licensing Team. Option 1 is not currently available for licensing customers.

Please ensure you pay the correct fee amount and, where prompted, please leave any narrative to help link your payment to your application. Please also keep a note of your receipt/transaction number in case it is needed further. If you have any difficulty please email the Licensing Team.

Please also note that the Government portal for submitting some licence applications and associated payment module are currently not working correctly and are not being used by Babergh or Mid Suffolk, so please email your forms to us direct and make payment as above.

Fair Procession notice - protection of public funds

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information provided in relevant licence applications on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.

Further information can be found in Your Right to Information.

The Kings Coronation

The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place on Saturday the 6th May 2023.

 With many events being planned, the Government has provided the following information on the Coronation and a guide to organising a street party:

Coronation of His Majesty The King & Her Majesty The Queen Consort

Your guide to organising a street party - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For a street party, if there are no alcohol sales during the event, the Licensing Act 2003 does not require a licence at a street party unless amplified music is one of the main purposes of the event.

The government has approved a Licensing Hours Order under section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 to relax licensing hours in England and Wales to mark His Majesty the King’s coronation.

The order will apply to premises already licensed until 11pm for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, for the provision of late-night refreshment (only where there is also the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises), and for the provision of regulated entertainment in England and Wales.

The order will extend the licensing hours for such premises from 11pm to 1am the following day, on Friday 5 May, Saturday 6 May, and Sunday 7 June.

Licensing Act 2003 - Alcohol & Entertainment Licensing

Latest Babergh District Council Applications

Applications in Process under the Licensing Act 2003

Applications can be viewed at the Council's Customer Access Point by appointment during office hours, please contact the Licensing Team.

Representations, relevant to one or more of the four licensing objectives (prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety, protection of children from harm), must be made in writing - including your name and address - to the attention of the Licensing Team, Babergh District Council (as the Licensing Authority) at the Council Office address, or by email to the Licensing Team. Any comments you make will be part of a public record, including your name and address, and you will be party to the public hearing (if a hearing is necessary). The press may attend/report contentious cases. Late representations cannot be accepted.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.

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Reference/Type: Section 17/Application for a New Premises Licence

Premises: Alton Water Sports Centre, Holbrook Road, Stutton, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2RY

Applicant: AVH Parks Ltd

Public Consultation during which relevant representations can be received ends on: 15 June 2023

Application Detail: This is an application for an activity centre with cafe. The proposed licensable activities are Recorded Music (Indoors & Outdoors) and Supply of Alcohol ON & OFF the premises

Please read Application Form and Plan

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Latest Mid Suffolk District Council Applications

Applications in Process under the Licensing Act 2003 for Mid Suffolk District Council

Applications can be viewed at the Council's Customer Access Point by appointment during office hours, please contact the Licensing Team.

Representations, relevant to one or more of the four licensing objectives (prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety, protection of children from harm), must be made in writing - including your name and address - to the attention of the Licensing Team, Mid Suffolk District Council (as the Licensing Authority) at the Council Office address, or by e-mail to the Licensing Team. Any comments you make will be part of a public record, including your name and address, and you will be party to the public hearing (if a hearing is necessary). The press may attend/report contentious cases. Late representations cannot be accepted.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.

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Forms for Licensing Act 2003 - Applications have changed from 6 April 2017

Due to new legislation around Immigration and Policing, the Government have altered the prescribed forms for Licensing Act 2003 procedures. From 6 April 2017 you MUST use the new forms.

Applicants must now demonstrate that they have an entitlement to work in the UK and are not subject to a condition preventing them from doing work relating to the carrying on of a licensable activity. They do this by providing with this application copies or scanned copies of the documents specified at the end of each application form. If you are having difficulty locating the correct form you need please contact us.

Changes for new applicants of Personal Alcohol Licences

Please note that from 31 January 2018 all new applicants applying for a Personal Alcohol Licence will need to apply for their basic disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service ("DBS") instead of Disclosure Scotland, as Disclosure Scotland will now only be for applicants living in Scotland. Further information can be found on the DBS webpages or email the DBS team or telephone 0300 020 0190.

Personal Alcohol Licence - Renewal dates

From 1 April 2015 it is no longer necessary to renew a personal licence. Section 115 of the Licensing Act 2003 has been amended by section 69 of the Deregulation Act 2015, removing the requirement to renew personal licences. The Licensing Authority is NOT required by law to issue a replacement licence (to remove the previous expiry date).

New personal licences, granted after 1 April 2015, will last indefinitely. New personal licence applications will still be subject to the full application procedure, including relevant accredited qualification and criminal records check.

Organising an outdoor event?

If you are involved with organising an outdoor event such as community fete, street fair or music festival then you'll be keen to ensure that your activities run smoothly and safely. Assistance is at hand via licensing's events pages. Also the Council can provide waste and recycling facilities for your event from our Trade Waste team.

Pay your Licensing Act 2003 annual fee or your licence is at risk!

From 25 April 2012 the both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have powers to suspend an alcohol, entertainment or late night refreshment licence (or club certificate). Please pay your annual fee promptly to avoid jeopardising your licensed business. Please contact the Council for ways to pay. Cheques are payable to 'Babergh District Council' for a Babergh licence or 'Mid Suffolk District Council' for a Mid Suffolk Licence post to the Licensing Team. If you are no longer trading or have relocated until you formally surrender your licence you will remain liable for licence fees accruing.

Temporary Pavement Licences

On 22 July 2020 the Business and Planning Act 2020 received Royal Assent, providing temporary powers to District and Borough Councils to licence table, chairs and other temporary furniture on the pavement.

Please find further information on how to apply for the new permissions on the Pavement Licences page.

Latest Babergh District Council Applications

Pavement Licence Applications in Process

Representations must be made in writing - including your name and address - for the attention of the Licensing Team, Babergh District Council (as the Licensing Authority) at the Council Office address, or by e-mail to the Licensing Team. Any comments you make will be part of a public record, including your name and address. Late representations cannot be accepted.

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Latest Mid Suffolk District Council Applications

Pavement Licence Applications in Process

Representations must be made in writing - including your name and address - to the attention of the Licensing Team, Mid Suffolk District Council (as the Licensing Authority) at the Council Office address, or by e-mail to the Licensing Team. Any comments you make will be part of a public record, including your name and address. Late representations cannot be accepted.

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Taxi and Private Hire Licensing

Introduction to the Role of the Professional Driver Course

The Course can be undertaken at West Suffolk College: Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver Course Details

How do I check if a taxi operator is genuine?

You can check Mid Suffolk and Babergh licensed operators, drivers and vehicles via the Mid Suffolk and Babergh Licensing Register. Bogus taxi operators operate nationwide, even in Mid Suffolk and Babergh, and pose significant risks to public safety as drivers and vehicles will be unchecked and any insurance cover invalidated. It is recommended that you book licensed services in advance where possible and carry numbers of several legitimate operators when you are enjoying a night out.

Licensed vehicles will have exterior plates with the vehicle registration, make, model, number of passengers, licence expiry date and security hologram. A small duplicate of this plate will be displayed inside the vehicle near to the dashboard area. Drivers will display a badge with photographic image, authorisation and expiry date. Ask them to produce it if you are unsure. NEVER get into a vehicle if you believe it is not licensed (and report any instances to us or the Police). Legitimate operators will be happy to verify their licence details upon request, as they appreciate your custom. If you are concerned by the conduct or behaviour of any licence holder then report it in confidence to the Licensing Team (and the Police if the matter is a serious risk to public safety).

DVLA - Driver's Licence

New drivers and drivers wishing to renew their Combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence will now be required to obtain a code from the DVLA to enable the Licensing Team to check the applicant’s driving history to issue a new or renew a licence. Failure to provide this information to the Licensing Team may delay or invalidate your application.

This code can be obtained by going on to the DVLA website OR by phoning 0300 083 0013. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS CODE IS CASE SENSITIVE AND ONLY LASTS FOR 21 DAYS (extended with effect from 10 July 2015 as previously only valid for 72 hours). This code must be given to the Licensing Team as soon as possible to enable the relevant checks to be made.

To obtain the code you will need:

You can obtain your unique code on the .Gov website view or share your driving licence

Changes to Taxi and Private Hire legislation

Whilst the Law Commission had published the findings of its extensive review into overhauling outdated hackney carriage and private hire legislation, central government has determined to NOT implement any changes in a single Act. Some changes may be made incrementally via separate legislation (including Deregulation Act 2015). The existing law dates back to as early as 1831 and is in need of modernisation. The findings of the Law Commission can be found via their website Law Commission Review of Taxi and Private Hire Services. In the continuing absence of national law changes, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils will be contacting and consulting with the taxi/PHV trade and other stakeholders to develop an updated scheme based on the available national requirements and any local discretionary elements.

Licensed operators, proprietors, vehicles and drivers can be checked by contacting us.

Unlicensed service providers break the law (and may be prosecuted). They are not insured and drivers/vehicles are unchecked, raising significant public safety issues, so only use licensed taxi and private hire services. You should ensure you have the numbers of several licensed operators with you when enjoying a night out in the districts.

Latest legislation change for taxi and private hire drivers assisting wheelchair users

From 6 April 2017 it will be illegal for taxi and private hire drivers to discriminate against wheelchairs. The Council maintains a list of accessible vehicles from its licensing database - contact us if you want more information about this.

Taxi and private hire drivers face a fine of up to £1,000 if they refuse to transport wheelchair users or attempt to charge them extra, in a change to the law announced on 7 February 2017 by the Transport Minister.

Legislation becoming effective from 6 April 2017 will be oblige taxi and private hire vehicle drivers by law to:

  • transport wheelchair users in their wheelchair
  • provide passengers in wheelchairs with appropriate assistance
  • charge wheelchair users the same as non-wheelchair users

The full press release by the Department for Transport can be found on the Gov.UK website.

Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

From 01 October 2013 the above legislation commenced and replaced previous legislation in relation to scrap metal dealers and motor salvage operators. Mobile collectors and motor salvage operators are also brought into a new national licensing scheme for sites or collectors. Existing registered businesses had only until 15 October 2013 to transfer in to the new scheme.

A reminder to all existing operators under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 renewals are due from November 2016.

Further information on Scrap Metal Dealers can be found on the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 pages.

Licensed operators can be checked by contacting us.

Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Permits, Premises Licences, Small Lotteries)

Licences and permits for betting, gaming,machines, lotteries and other gambling activities. Some licences are dealt with by the Council and others by the Gambling Commission. Further information can be found on the Gambling pages.

Sex Establishment Licensing

Both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have adopted the legislation (including policy) to enable them to regulate (through a licensing process) sexual entertainment venues, sex cinema and sex shops. Further information can be found on the Sex Establishment pages.