Angry licensees blame local councils for licensing chaos

by Ewan Turney

Angry licensees have hit back at local authorities claiming they only have themselves to blame for the lack of applications for new licences because of poor administration, widespread confusion and a general lack of information.

Frustrated hosts contacted the Morning Advertiser in response to last week's warning by councils that the situation had reached crisis point because so few applications had been received. Councils fear being swamped with forms near the 6 August deadline.

However, in several areas, application forms were not ready on the first appointed day (7 Febru-ary). "The forms were two weeks late so it is not our fault if they become inundated," said Hereford Licensed Victuallers Association chairman Andrew Catley.

Guildford council in Surrey sent out forms seven weeks late while licensees in West Wilt-shire are unlikely to submit anything before mid April because forms are incorrect. "It is really annoying as we have made the effort but the forms are still not correct," said Alan Packman, owner of the Prince of Wales in Dilton Marsh.

Others claim that staggered deadlines, being used by certain authorities, are putting them at a disadvantage. Amber Valley council in Derbyshire has split venues into four bands with the final band unable to submit applications until 1 May. "We are being held back ­ it's really abysmal," said Malcolm Horley, licensee of the White Hart in Heate.

One council, South Glouces-tershire was so keen to be helpful that it colour coded all the application forms ­ pink, blue, green and yellow ­ with the end result being they could not be photocopied, meaning more work for hapless licensees.

In other areas, a lack of clear information is hampering the process. Andy Watts of the Cherry Tree in Yaxley, Suffolk, claimed he had received no information at all from Mid-Suffolk council. In Hereford, Catley added: "I can't get answers to questions and it is a desperate state, just terrible."

Alan Crowest, managing director of pub agents Britannia Business Sales, warned: "Unless licensing authorities improve their communications skills, the whole transition period is going to disintegrate into farce."

DCMS rules add to delay

Delays in councils receiving applications are being caused in part by Department for Culture, Media & Sports (DCMS) rules that prevent councils putting their own reminder notes on forms, Jim Hunter, vice-chairman of the Institute of Licensing, has claimed

Hunter wanted to include a reminder on the forms that they should be sent to the police before being returned to his licensing authority, Taunton in Somerset.

He said there was no mention of the need to do this on the forms, so a number of licensees are failing to get police verification before returning the forms to the council.

"The DCMS say [a reminder to get police verification] is included in the regulations but licensees can't, in all situations, find time to read this," Hunter said.

Hunter, who attended a meeting between the DCMS, the Local Authority Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors), and representatives of licensing authorities on Monday, said rural authorities seemed to be receiving applications quicker than towns and cities.

What some in the trade really think

After spending hours on end filling the form in, I was told it was not valid because it had not been approved yet. They said they would let me know when they have the correct forms butI still haven't heard anything from them. It has delayed everything.

Jeff Gough, Three Tuns, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

In South Gloucester Council's super-efficient manner, all of the relevant forms have been printed on shaded paper ­ pink, green, blue etc. I was wondering how, after spending several hours completing the forms, they would photocopy. Yes, you guessed ­ they don't.

Russell Camp, the Wheatsheaf Inn, Thornbury, Gloucestershire

I haven't received anything from the council. Other licensees I know nearby have received guidance notes, applicationforms and instructions from their councils.

There is no mention of any details on the website at all.

Andy Watts, the Cherry Tree, Yaxley, Suffolk

The council said I cannot get the application in before 4 May. That seems to contradict everything I have been reading about councils panicking about a lack of applications.

Richard Sanders, the Crooked Billet, Hook, Hampshire

I am still waiting for my floor plans to come through but even when I get them, you have to send copies to about seven different people.

Jed Guy, Footballers Inn, Bury, Lancashire

Some councils seem to be of the opinion that all licensees could download forms straight from the DCMS website without realising thata huge number of licensees are not necessarily on the web.

Alan Crowest, managing director, Britannia Business Sales

It is staggering that businesses have time to make a profit. It really is bureaucracy gone mad. Does the Government really want us to become a nation of form fillers?

Alan Kefford, licensing solicitor, Howard Percival

Solicitor Poppleston Allen's list of the most common mistakes on making applications

1 Not using the correct forms. There are six main application forms ­ two for a personal licence, two for a premises licence and two for a club premises certificate. The right form for the right application must be used.

2 Not checking the local authority's policy. It is vital licensees thoroughly check the local authority policy to ensure applications adhere to the requirements.

3 Not serving the relevant licensing authorities. For a premises licence application with variations, eight licensing authorities need to have applications. For personal licences or straight conversions only, the local authority and police need be served.

4 Submitting incorrect plans. Plans are required to show, for example, the location of every fire extinguisher, and should be drawn in 1:100 scale.