Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society (CHIS)

CHIS Licensing Policy

1. It is most important to persuade the Licensing Officer that a liaison group should be formed. It is recommended but not prescribed in the Government Guidance. It might include representatives of the licensed trade, the Police, local transport organisations including buses and taxis, local business organisations, the Accident & Emergency Unit at the local District General Hospital as well as relevant residents and their associations. At group meetings problems can be discussed, solutions suggested, and problems may be prevented.
2. In order to ensure there is a known base line, LAs are supposed to have details of the current crime, disorder, noise and nuisance problems in the various areas under their supervision. The Police may be reluctant to release such data, but it is vital to ensure that LAs collect it.
3. "Saturation" must be raised and the Policy should include it as a criterion for consideration.
4. Conditions, that might be needed, should be included in the Policy document. These comprise sound-proofing, CCTV, doormen, and the prevention of the escape of unwanted smells.
5. Discounted alcoholic refreshment, such as "two-for-the price-of-one'", "as much as you can drink for a fixed sum", etc should be criticised as being undesirable, because it does not promote the four licensing objectives.
6. Limitation of opening hours has been specifically banned from Licensing policies but, if it exists in the planning consent, then it can be maintained.
7. The method of advertisement of applications should be discussed. It would be helpful if "interested parties" were informed with hard copy, but applications could be posted on Local Authority web sites in the way that planning applications can be accessed. The availability of documents must be discussed, so that "interested parties" can see all the relevant papers in files not dissimilar to those prepared by planning departments.
8. The conduct of hearings needs to be discussed. The opportunity to present the case for objection or review must be adequate; witnesses need to be called. Cross-examination should be allowed, so that hearings compare favourably with the facilities provided at Licensing Magistrate court hearings.

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