Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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New simplified online applications process to help pubs, sports clubs and voluntary organisations
130/09
1
October 2009
People who want to to sell alcohol, put on live music and
other arts events, or sell hot food and drink late at night, will
soon be able to make applications for licences entirely online
under new measures proposed today by the Department for Culture,
Media and Sport.
Online applications will make the licensing process quicker and easier, and could save businesses and voluntary organisations up to £1.5 million per year. Those applying for Temporary Events Notices will also be able to do so online.
A six week consultation on the scope and detail of the new online process was launched today to give all users – including pub landlords, parent teacher associations, restaurants owners and sports club managers - the opportunity to have their say before the system is due to go live in January 2010.
Businesses will be able to apply online through a new national facility which is being developed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as part of the ‘businesslink’ website.
One of the most significant changes is that licensing authorities, not applicants, will soon be responsible for notifying the police and other relevant authorities if an application is made electronically. This, together with the cost savings from applying online, could save businesses and voluntary organisations up to £48 per application.
Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said:
“This is just one of a number of measures we are putting into place to make it more convenient and cost-effective for businesses and voluntary organisations to get the licences they need. Information will be sent electronically to local authorities and the police, shaving days off the process as well as saving hefty postage and photocopying costs – changes that should make a significant difference to licensees and volunteers alike.”
David Butler, Chief Executive of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) said:
“The NCPTA welcomes the development of online licence
applications. Our 13,000 PTA members hold close to 100,000 events
each year many of which will require a Temporary Events Notice. To
be able to apply online and know that licensing authorities will
be responsible for notifying the police and any other relevant
authorities will greatly benefit PTA volunteers.”
Notes to editors
1. The consultation on electronic applications is available on the DCMS website.
2. These proposals are part of the DCMS’ response to the EU Services Directive which requires all Member States to have systems in place by 28 December 2009 to allow service providers to apply, pay for and vary licences online.
3. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is implementing the Directive in the UK including the development of a national ‘Electronic Application Facility’ (EAF) on the www.businesslink.gov website. Businesses will be able to apply via the EAF or directly to the LA, if it has its own facility. BIS is developing online forms for all the licensing processes in scope.
4. The Services Directive only applies to regulated entertainment, but the DCMS proposes to allow online applications for all licensable activities and most applications and notifications under the Licensing Act 2003.
5. Applicants currently have to send a copy of their application to responsible authorities such as the police. Under the new online arrangements, this will be the responsibility of the local authority if the application is made electronically.
6. Businesses without online access will still be able to apply in writing using the current procedures.
7. This proposal requires amendments to regulations which sit alongside the Licensing Act - and will be subject to Parliamentary approval through the so-called negative resolution process.
Contacts:
DCMS Press Enquiries and Out of hours telephone pager
Phone:
020 7211 6263
Mobile: 07699 751153
NDS.DCMS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Kirsty McCaskill
Phone: 020 7211 6263
kirsty.mccaskill@culture.gsi.gov.uk
