Licensing Act 2003 Licensing Policy

10.1There are many stakeholders in the leisure industry, covering a wide range of disciplines. Many are involved, directly or indirectly, in the promotion of the licensing objectives, particularly those relating to the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance. The council understands the need to consider strategies regarding town centres and the nighttime economy and will welcome representations on these issues, if relevant to the licensing objectives, whilst ensuring the primacy of the licensing objectives when coming to decisions under the Act.

10.2The Licensing Authority will arrange for protocols with the Norfolk Police to enable them to report to the Committee responsible for transport matters on the need for the swift and safe dispersal of people from the town's busiest areas to avoid concentrations, which can produce disorder and disturbance.

10.3The Borough Council recognises that there should be a clear separation of the planning and licensing regimes, and licensing applications should not be a re-run of the planning application.

10.4The Licensing Authority recognises the need to avoid so far as possible duplication with other regulatory regimes.

10.5However, some regulations do not cover the unique circumstances of some licensable activities, and the Licensing Authority will consider attaching Conditions to premises licences and club premises certificates (following relevant representations) where these are appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives and are not already provided for in any other legislation.

10.6This policy recognises that the Borough Council has a duty under the Equality Act 2010, to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; and to advance equality of opportunity and to foster good relations between persons with different protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. These requirements will be taken into account when carrying out licensing procedures.