Liverpool City Council Licensing Authority Consultation

We are currently seeking comments on the council's new Licensing Policy dealing with the licensing of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment premises. The policy has several aims. It sets out how the council, acting as the licensing authority, approaches its licensing responsibilities and aims to promote their four licensing objectives, which are:

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

The new draft Policy Statement sets out the protections that are afforded to local communities from the impact of licensed premises' activities. The document is relevant to prospective and current licensed operators, other 'responsible authorities' and agencies, and to local residents. Please complete this brief questionnaire, which will give you an opportunity to have your say. We welcome your views which will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and anonymity.

Section 1:  Zoning - Paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2 of the draft new Policy Statement refer

Firstly, we'd like your comments on, what is know as zoning. Liverpool City Council may identify zones, or defined geographical areas, in which licensing hours may be controlled by reference to fixed hours. Key features of zoning are:

· Existing hours of licensed premises in an identified zone would be unaffected · Zoning hours identified by the Council would only affect new applications for the grant or variation of licences

Q.1 Do you think the City Council should, in principle, look towards identifying zones where Licensing hours for particular licenseable activities could be fixed?
	YES
	NO

Q.2 Any particular reason for answering 'YES'? Please type in your response below

Q.3 What particular areas of Liverpool do you think should be considered for zoning?

Q.4(a) And what fixed opening hours do you think would be appropriate in these areas you have just mentioned?

(b) Do you think these hours should apply to all types of premises or just some?
	ALL
	SOME

(c) And which types of premises are these? Please select as many options as you feel appropriate
	PUBS/BARS		MEMBERS CLUBS (eg Golf clubs, British Legion)
	NIGHT CLUBS		CINEMAS
	RESTAURANTS		THEATRES
	LATE NIGHT REFRESHMENTS		OFF LICENCES
	SUPERMARKETS		TAKEAWAYS
	SMALLER GENERAL STORES		COMMUNITY HALLS

OTHER (Please Identify)

Q.5 Any particular reasons for answering 'NO'?

Section 2:  Special Cumulative Impact Policies - Paragraphs 10 of the draft new Policy Statement refers

"Cumulative Impact" means the potential impact on the promotion of the licensing objectives (namely public safety, preventing crime/disorder/public nuisance and protecting children from harm) of a significant number of licensed premises in one area. The impact of the number, type and density of licensed premises in a given area may lead to problems. Cumulative Impact Policies were introduced as a tool for licensing authorities to limit the growth of licensed premises in a problem area.

The features of a Special Cumulative Impact Policy (SCIP) are:

· If a representation is made against an application in a Special Cumulative Impact Policy area (SCIP), there will be a presumption that it should be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Licensing Authority that their particular application is unlikely to add to existing problems which caused the SCIP to be introduced.   · If there are no representations opposing the application, the application must be granted in the terms laid out in the application.

Q.1 Special Cumulative Impact Policies are currently under review in Lark Lane, Allerton Road, The Ropewalks and The Cavern Quarter. Do you feel there are any other areas in Liverpool that should be made subject to Special Cumulative Impact Policies?

Q.2(a) In the areas you have identified above, do you think this Special Cumulative Impact Policy should apply to all types of licensed premises or just some?
	ALL
	SOME

(b) And which types of premises are these? Please select as many options as you feel appropriate
	PUBS/BARS		MEMBER'S CLUBS (eg Golf clubs, British Legion)
	NIGHT CLUBS		CINEMAS
	RESTAURANTS		THEATRES
	LATE NIGHT REFRESHMENTS		OFF LICENCES
	SUPERMARKETS		TAKEAWAYS
	SMALLER GENERAL STORES		COMMUNITY HALLS

OTHER (Please Identify)

(c) Have you any general comments you would like to make about Special Cumulative Impact Policies?

Section 3: Shops selling alcohol for consumption off the premises - Paragraphs 9.3 and 11.5 of the draft new Policy Statement refer.

The council is concerned the sale of alcohol by shops, which includes not just 'off-licences' but also supermarkets, is often detrimental to local communities because of street drinking, underage sales, anti-social behaviour and public nuisance which can be linked to purchases from these premises. The proposed policy states, contrary to Government guidance, the Council thinks alcohol should be sold at hours which are appropriate to the premises' local environment rather than the individual shops' general opening hours. New applications are expected to contain suggested licensing hours after very careful consideration based on how appropriate they are to their premises.

	STRONGLY SUPPORT		SUPPORT		NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE		OPPOSE		STRONGLY OPPOSE		NEED MORE INFORMATION
Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy even though it departs from Government guidance?	Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy even though it departs from Government guidance? STRONGLY SUPPORT		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy even though it departs from Government guidance? SUPPORT		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy even though it departs from Government guidance? NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy even though it departs from Government guidance? OPPOSE		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy even though it departs from Government guidance? STRONGLY OPPOSE		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy even though it departs from Government guidance? NEED MORE INFORMATION

Q.2 Based on your answer to this question, please write any comments you may have?

The Council expects all applicants for shops wishing to sell alcohol, or extend their hours of sale, to carefully assess their local environment and seek advice from local councillors, the local Police and the Council's Responsible Authority Officer and Weights and Measures Officer as to their views as to hours, conditions and product types which are appropriate to their local environment and customer profile.

	STRONGLY SUPPORT		SUPPORT		NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE		OPPOSE		STRONGLY OPPOSE		NEED MORE INFORMATION
Q.3 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy?	Q.3 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy? STRONGLY SUPPORT		Q.3 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy? SUPPORT		Q.3 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy? NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE		Q.3 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy? OPPOSE		Q.3 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy? STRONGLY OPPOSE		Q.3 Please indicate to what extent you support this policy? NEED MORE INFORMATION

Q.4 Based on your answer to this question, please write any comments you may have?

Section 4: Views on Creation of Officer Post dedicated to assisting businesses with Licensing Applications

This section is currently not included in the Licensing Policy, but the Council would like your feedback on the possible creation of a Post within the Council dedicated solely to assisting businesses to properly and fully complete applications in accordance with the Council's Licensing Policy and any statutory guidance, and answering any queries the applicants may have.

	STRONGLY SUPPORT		SUPPORT		NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE		OPPOSE		STRONGLY OPPOSE		NEED MORE INFORMATION
Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this new Council employed officer post?	Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this new Council employed officer post? STRONGLY SUPPORT		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this new Council employed officer post? SUPPORT		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this new Council employed officer post? NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this new Council employed officer post? OPPOSE		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this new Council employed officer post? STRONGLY OPPOSE		Q.1 Please indicate to what extent you support this new Council employed officer post? NEED MORE INFORMATION

Q.2 Based on your answer to this question, please write any comments you may have?

If you answered 'strongly support' or 'support', which of these two options best applies:
	THE COUNCIL SHOULD CHARGE A FEE FROM USERS OF THIS SERVICE
	THERE SHOULD BE NO FEE CHARGED FOR USING THIS SERVICE - COSTS SHOULD BE MET FROM THE COUNCIL'S LICENSING FEE INCOME

Section 5: And finally....

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?

	STRONGLY AGREE		AGREE		NEITHER... NOR		DISAGREE		STRONGLY DISAGREE
Q.1 Any licensees found selling counterfeit or illicit alcohol should have their licence revoked	Q.1 Any licensees found selling counterfeit or illicit alcohol should have their licence revoked STRONGLY AGREE		Q.1 Any licensees found selling counterfeit or illicit alcohol should have their licence revoked AGREE		Q.1 Any licensees found selling counterfeit or illicit alcohol should have their licence revoked NEITHER... NOR		Q.1 Any licensees found selling counterfeit or illicit alcohol should have their licence revoked DISAGREE		Q.1 Any licensees found selling counterfeit or illicit alcohol should have their licence revoked STRONGLY DISAGREE
Q.2 The onus should be placed on licensed premises to have in place appropriate child safeguarding measures	Q.2 The onus should be placed on licensed premises to have in place appropriate child safeguarding measures STRONGLY AGREE		Q.2 The onus should be placed on licensed premises to have in place appropriate child safeguarding measures AGREE		Q.2 The onus should be placed on licensed premises to have in place appropriate child safeguarding measures NEITHER... NOR		Q.2 The onus should be placed on licensed premises to have in place appropriate child safeguarding measures DISAGREE		Q.2 The onus should be placed on licensed premises to have in place appropriate child safeguarding measures STRONGLY DISAGREE
Q.3 Any licenceholder or applicant seeking to engage in home delivery will be expected to include within their operations appropriate precautions to prevent children from being supplied with alcohol	Q.3 Any licenceholder or applicant seeking to engage in home delivery will be expected to include within their operations appropriate precautions to prevent children from being supplied with alcohol STRONGLY AGREE		Q.3 Any licenceholder or applicant seeking to engage in home delivery will be expected to include within their operations appropriate precautions to prevent children from being supplied with alcohol AGREE		Q.3 Any licenceholder or applicant seeking to engage in home delivery will be expected to include within their operations appropriate precautions to prevent children from being supplied with alcohol NEITHER... NOR		Q.3 Any licenceholder or applicant seeking to engage in home delivery will be expected to include within their operations appropriate precautions to prevent children from being supplied with alcohol DISAGREE		Q.3 Any licenceholder or applicant seeking to engage in home delivery will be expected to include within their operations appropriate precautions to prevent children from being supplied with alcohol STRONGLY DISAGREE

Q.4 Have you any other comments you would like to make regarding any aspect of the Council's new Draft Licensing Policy?

Q.5 Please indicate your status by ticking one of the appropriate boxes below:
	PREMISES LICENCE HOLDER		PUBLIC EMPLOYEE (NHS, COUNCIL)
	PERSONAL LICENCE HOLDER		BUSINESS OWNER SELLING ALCOHOL (ALCOHOL NOT CORE BUSINESS)
	CLUB PREMISES LICENCE HOLDERS		BUSINESS OWNER NOT SELLING ALCOHOL
	REPRESENT LICENCE HOLDERS		LOCAL RESIDENT
	ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER		REPRESENTING LOCAL RESIDENTS
	SPOKESPERSON FOR INTEREST GROUP		REPRESENT A RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY

OTHER (PLEASE DESCRIBE)

Thank you very much for completing this questionnaire. If you'd like to know any more about the Licensing Authority new Draft Statement, please consult:     [email protected]

Please be guaranteed that no individual responses will be highlighted in the final report. All responses will be grouped together to form an overall picture.

Now please click 'submit' to complete the questionnaire

This online facility will remain open until the 20th November