Licensing Act 2003

With the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003 in November 2005 we are responsible for the administration of enforcement of licensing in relation to liquor, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment.

Purpose and aims
North Dorset District Council’s Licensing Policy
Licensable activities
Types of licences

PURPOSE AND AIMS

The overall aim of the legislation is to modernise previous laws governing the sale and supply of alcohol, provision of late night refreshment and public entertainment so that

Licensing decisions are made according to local considerations
Licensing hours are deregulated
Various pieces of legislation are brought under a single act.

This will be achieved by focusing on the four principle Licensing Objectives:

• Prevention of crime and disorder;
• Prevention of public nuisance;
• Promotion of public safety;
• Protection of children from harm.

LICENSABLE ACTIVITIES

• The sale by retail of alcohol
• The supply of alcohol by or on behalf f a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club
• The provision of regulated entertainment; and
• The provision of late night refreshment.

Provision of regulated entertainment is defined for these purposes both entertainment and entertainment facilities as any of the following activities.

• Performance of a play
• Exhibition of a film
• Indoor sporting event
• Boxing or wrestling  (indoor and outdoor)
• Performance of live music
• Playing of recorded music
• Performance of dance
• Provision of Facilities for making Music
• Provision of facilities for dancing

Only where the entertainment takes place in the present of an audience and  is provided for the purposes (or for purposes which include the purpose) of entertaining that audience.

Late night refreshment is defined as provision of hot food and non alcoholic drink between the hours of 2300 hours and 0500 hours.

NORTH DORSET’S LICENSING POLICY

The Council is required to publish a ‘Statement of Licensing Policy’ based on the above objectives which form the basis for considering licensing applications.  The policy must be reviewed at least every three years when public consultation is required before formal adoption and publication.

You can view the policy by clicking the link below or at the Council’s offices at Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford.

Link to North Dorset’s Licensing Policy.

North Dorset Licensing Policy

Types of licences

To find out about the different types of licences, click the relevant link below:

Premises Licence

Club Premises Certificate

Personal Licence

Temporary Event Notice

For futher information please click on the links below:

Statutory Public Register of Licences

Village Halls

Schools

Advertisments Regulations

Plans

Fees

Representations

Appeals

Responsible Authorities

Reviews

Personal Licence Qualification

Top of page

Link to Statutory Public Register of Licences