Licensing Policy Consultation
We are updating our Statement of Licensing Policy to reflect changes in legislation and best practice since it was last reviewed.
We would like to hear from you whether you agree with some of the changes we've made.
Wokingham Borough Council as the licensing authority must have a Statement of Licensing Policy. All businesses and organisations that undertake licensable activities on a permanent basis must have a premises licence from their local authority. These include:
- Selling alcohol, such as in supermarkets, pubs and bars, cinemas and village and community halls.
- Hot food and drink served between 11pm and 5am
- Regulated entertainment, such as live music, boxing, indoor sporting events and performing a play
The licensing policy will be used as a guide when making decisions about licensing matters, such as reviewing applications for a new premises licence or a variation to an existing licence.
The policy provides the ability to lay out our expectations of licensed premises.
What is included in the policy
The policy is comprehensive covering the expectations on licensees to comply with measures, particularly meeting the four objectives of:
- Prevention of crime and disorder
- Public safety
- Prevention of public nuisance
- The protection of children from harm
This includes:
- Medical resource at events
- Children and public entertainments
- Tackling child sexual exploitation
- Women’s safety in the night time economy
- Bystander intervention
- Outside spaces
- Regulated entertainment, including nudity and adult entertainment and expectations for safety of participants and spectators at sports events
What are we consulting on?
We have updated our policy to reflect changes in legislation and best practice since it was last reviewed, and are seeking your feedback on four key areas of change:
- Model conditions
- Pre-Application Advice Service
- Women’s safety in the night time economy
- Best Bar None Scheme
Other amendments to the policy include:
- Including local ward councillors in consultations for a new premises licence or full variation applications
- Expanded detail on measures to promote the licensing objectives
- A section on child sexual exploitation advice
- Promotion of other strategies including a ‘Reduce the Strength’ strategy and expectations for organisers of White Collar Boxing Events
- Counter terrorism measures
The full draft policy can be seen below.
Further information
Please note you will need to login or register for a free account to participate in the survey.
If you need help filling in this survey, you can complete the survey over the phone by calling our Customer Services Team on (0118) 974 6000. You can also request a paper copy of the survey by completing our contact form on our website.
Phases
Consultation open
Consultation open for response