BII launches important new tools for licensing authorities

05-Jul-2005

 

The BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector, today launched a new qualification, the National Certificate for Licensing Practitioners and a booklet designed to support training courses for councillors entitled ‘An Introduction to the Licensing Act 2003 for Local Authority Elected Members’, at the LGA Conference in Harrogate.

 

At four simultaneous receptions at the event, the BII representatives spoke passionately about the importance of these two important new tools for licensing authorities.

 

John McNamara, speaking at the Labour Group reception said, “This conference is the springboard for a new partnership between the industry and its regulators. The Licensing Act 2003 is a complex piece of legislation.  Licensees operating within it have to have a qualification that proves their knowledge of the law in order to obtain a personal licence. 

 

He added, “But what about the licensing authorities – officers and elected members on licensing committees?  A recent Association of Councillors’ conference run in conjunction with the BII, demonstrated that this knowledge is desperately needed.  We ran a training session and delegates took the examination for the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders.  Nearly 80% passed. The BII hopes that these tools will help to support a fair and equable licensing process which will underpin positive relationships between yourselves and the industry.”

 

The qualifications have been developed through a unique partnership between LACORS, the SLP (Society for Licensing Practitioners), the Institute of Licensing and the BII. The first is a qualification accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the second is information covering issues such as Powers of Committees, Judicial Review and Human Rights. 

 

Mr McNamara also spoke of the issues facing licensees, “We are nearly half way through a transitional period which finishes on 24th November.  There are only 23 working days left for licensees to apply for conversion of their current liquor licences into those required under the new regime.  Grandfather rights cease on the 6th August.  The low uptake of applications is a major concern for us all.  So far, only 18% of the industry has responded to the call for action.

 

He added, “We have urged our members to apply for their licences in good time and have support mechanisms in place to help them.  We have consulted with over 200 local authorities on their licensing policies and have offered help to galvanise licensees their areas to take action now.  We know that you are suffering the same frustrations and fear for the future of your local economies as we are for our industry.”




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Email melanie@bii.org
Contact Melanie Taylor, Communications Manager