BBPA urges Gov't to extend Primary Authority law to licence conditions
The legislation gives businesses the right to form a statutory partnership with a single local authority, which then provides advice to other councils when carrying out inspections or dealing with non-compliance.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said it has great potential to reduce cost and complexity for pub operators when it comes to both underage sales and fire safety.
She called for the Government to look at extending Primary Authority to licensing conditions during a round-table on the ‘Focus on Enforcement’ review programme at the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills yesterday.
The meeting was attended by Secretary of State Vince Cable and Business & Enterprise Minister Matt Hancock.
'Overzealous enforcement adds costs'
Simmonds said: “The success of the pubs review has been to encourage local authorities to consider a risk based approach to enforcement for pubs. New guidance on the use of CCTV has also helped to encourage a proper assessment about whether it is really necessary.
“Overzealous enforcement for pubs adds to costs. We will continue to urge partnerships as the most effective way forward, and encourage the Government to look at extending Primary Authority to licensing conditions.
“Pubs are hugely important to local communities and over 80% of pubs are small businesses. I welcome the ongoing support from DBIS to help ensure that regulation for pubs is proportionate and light-touch.”
Shepherd Neame partnership
This week Shepherd Neame announced that it is working with Kent Fire and Rescue Service through a Primary Authority Scheme partnership, meaning it can now take a single approach to developing the fire safety plans and procedures for all its premises.
It said will continue to work with the fire and rescue services local to each of its premises across the South East for routine safety visits, but final questions about the suitability of fire safety arrangements will be subject to discussion and moderation with Kent.
