Slough Borough Council

Licensing Act 2003

On 24 November 2005 the Licensing Act 2003 came into force, which fundamentally changed the licensing laws in England and Wales. The local authority is now the ‘Licensing Authority’ responsible for the issue of new licences.

Types of Licence

There are four types of licence which allow for ‘Licensable Activities’ to take place:

• Premises Licence
• Club Premises Certificate
• Personal Licence

• Temporary Event Notice

Licensable Activities

The act defines ‘Licensable Activities’ as:

• Sale by retail of alcohol
• Supply of alcohol in club premises
• Provision or regulated entertainment

• Provision of late night refreshment

Licensing Objectives

The act also defines its ‘Licensing Objectives’:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance

• The protection of children from harm

Policy Aims

The licensing authority considers applications for licences with five main policy aims in mind. These aims apply to both new applications and applications for variations.  They are:

1. The main purpose of the licensing regime is to promote the licensing objectives
2. Applicants for premises licences and club premises certificates must conduct a thorough risk assessment with regard to the licensing objectives when preparing applications. Applicants who are seeking variations to an existing licence also need to do similar risk assessments in order to complete the operating schedule
3. Professional experts in the areas concerned, such as the police, the fire authority and environmental health officers, will review operating schedules
4. Local residents and businesses now have the right to raise reasonable and relevant representation or objections about proposals made in the operating schedule
5. The licensing authority’s role is primarily to resolve any disputes that might arise. Where no representations or objection are received from responsible authorities or interested parties, no hearing is required and the application will be granted to the terms requested.

The Granting of Licences

Where no objections or representations are made licences or certificates will be granted to:

• Conditions consistent with the operating schedule, and or
• Mandatory conditions under the act

For relevant definitions under the act, download the Jargon Buster document below.

For a list of licensed venues, please download the licensing register below.

Queries

Please e-mail any questions you may have on the licensing act to licensing@slough.gov.uk

More Information

• Types of Licence
• Forms
• Applying for a review
• Making Representations
  PDF Document [149Kb]
• Appealing Licensing Decisions
  PDF Document [124Kb]
• Jargon Buster
  PDF Document. [116Kb]
• Licensing register
  PDF document [123Kb]
• Statement of Policy