The Licensing Act 2003 requires that
any application to vary any element of an existing licence or
application for a new licence has to be the subject of public
consultation.
Representations can be made that relate
to one or more of the licensing objectives can be considered. The
licensing objectives are: -
·
The prevention of crime and
disorder
·
Public safety
·
The prevention of public
nuisance
·
The protection of children from
harm.
Representations should clearly set out
the likely effects the grant, variation or review of the licence
would have on the promotion of at least one of the licensing
objectives, and must clearly relate to the premises for which the
application is being made. The
Licensing Act 2003 requires the Council to disregard
representations that are considered to be frivolous or vexatious.
Relevant representations will form part of a public document which
will include your name and address and will appear on the
Council’s website. Anonymous representations cannot be
accepted and so if any are received they will be disregarded. It is
important that if you make representations you have the evidence
that demonstrates support to your case.
Where written representations are made,
this will normally result in a hearing by the Licensing
Sub-Committee to determine the application.
Sub-Committees deal with licence
applications under the 2003 Licensing Act exclusively such as
Premises Licences, Personal Licences, Club Licences and Temporary
Events Notices. A minimum of three Licensing Committee members will
be called upon to determine applications which are to be heard and
meetings will take place as often as required.
Only persons who have made a
representation, or their representatives, are entitled to address
the Sub-Committee. To have your say, you must be an
‘interested party’ for the premises concerned. This
means you must be either a ‘responsible authority’ or
other person who submits a representation about the likely effect
of the premises licence on the promotion of the licensing
objectives.
If you want to speak at the Licensing
Sub-Committee, you need to contact us immediately and we can then
advise you if this is possible under regulations made by the
Government. Email democratic.services@crawley.gov.uk
and we will let you know if you are able to speak at the
meeting.
If you are invited to attend the
hearing, it is important that you make every effort to do so in
order to strengthen your case. If several people living close to
each other are all making representations then you are advised to
come together and agree one person to speak on everyone’s
behalf. You will be given time as agreed by the Committee Chair at
the beginning of the hearing to make your case and it is suggested
that you do not repeat verbatim your written evidence but highlight
the key issues. You should then be prepared to answer points of
clarification resulting from questions from members of the
Licensing Sub-Committee.