Schools

Currently schools may have a justices’ licences issued by the magistrates’ court or a public entertainment licence or a community premises licence issued by North Dorset District Council. Alternatively they may have been used for functions using occasional licences or permissions for specific events. Schools that wish to continue with these activities will need to apply to the Council for a licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

Choices for Schools

School committees need to look at the events and facilities that they offer, and the ones they wish to offer in the future so they can decide what type of licence to apply for.  It should be noted that two exemptions for licences no longer apply. Films cannot be shown at an unlicensed premises on an occasional basis as they can currently, and alcohol will not be able to be sold during theatrical performances without some form of permission which can either be a Premises Licence or a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).  No permissions will be required to include alcohol prizes in raffles or tombolas.

The options include: -

Temporary Events Notice (TENs) – fee of £21 per licensable event

If a school is only expecting to hold up to 12 events in a year they may consider giving a Temporary Events Notice for each specific event. This is not an application for a licence but a notification by the event organiser advising the Council that an event is going to be held.

A combination of Premises Licence and TENs

If the number of events where alcohol will be sold or supplied is less than 12, then it would be possible for a hall to have a premises licence to cover all events apart from those involving alcohol, and cover the events where alcohol is sold or supplied by means of TENs.

Premises Licence new application  – no charge if just PEL/CPL application, £100 for an application that includes permission to sell alcohol with a £70 annual charge

If in the past the school has held no licences or has utilised occasional licences or permissions to hold functions then they will need to apply for a new Premises Licence if they are planning to hold more than 12 events a year. They will need to submit an application to the Council. The application will have to be advertised and sent to the responsible authorities. The responsible authorities and interested parties will be able to make representations against the application. If there are no representations the licence will be granted otherwise the application will go for a hearing before the Licensing Committee. If alcohol is to be sold then a Designated Premises Supervisor, who must also be a Personal Licence holder, must be named.