Pembrokeshire County Council is asking local businesses and residents for their views on a draft Licensing Policy which must be adopted by full council before the end of the year. The policy is a legal requirement under new licensing laws which are due to come into effect early next year. It sets out how the council will approach the whole question of decision-making affecting a wide range of licensed activities for the next three years - be it an application for a new public house in a small village setting, a temporary music event during the summer months or an extension of opening hours to a nightclub or takeaway premises in the middle of one of our towns. The Licensing Act 2003 passes the control of liquor licences from the magistrates to the county council and the changes will affect some 1,000 premises throughout the county over the next 12 months, with the new laws coming fully into effect as from November, 2005. Said Gareth Watts, principal officer within the county council's public protection division: "Over the next couple of months we will be consulting with as many people, businesses and interest groups as we can on the new changes. "Anyone who runs a business or a resident who lives next to a bar, takeaway or nightclub for example will want to read how the changes will affect them and what they can do to influence how the council approaches the issue. "There are a lot of misconceptions about the new system and we want to emphasise that not only will it present new opportunities for local businesses, but it will also introduce far reaching rights for the very first time to local residents to influence the way in which a particular premises is run." In addition to the consultation process, Pembrokeshire County Council is one of the few authorities in the country to have formed a special Licensing Forum, made up of representatives from the trade, police, various agencies and arts groups to ensure that everyone knows what is happening with the changes and how it will affect them. "This licensing forum is again an example of how we want to operate here in the county, through partnership and co-operation which is something we have been doing for many years" said Mr. Watts. "Tackling problems of alcohol related crime and anti social behaviour should be a concern for everyone and these new laws will enable us to improve even further on the close working between the agencies here in the county." All licensees and interest groups have also been invited to a special trade show launch of the policy at the Parkhouse Exhibition Centre, Withybush, Haverfordwest, on October 18. Anyone wishing to discuss the policy or specific issues on the new laws can contact the council's licensing team on 776565 or 775473.
In order to highlight the consultation, Pembrokeshire County Council has organised a display to be run at all of its libraries on the following dates: Today (Friday): 10 am-12 pm and 2-5 pm at Newport; 11-1 pm and 2-5 pm at Goodwick. October 11: 10.30-12.30 pm at Saundersfoot; 9 am-1 pm and 2-5 pm at Tenby. October 12: 10 am-1 pm and 2-5.30 pm at St. Davids; 2-5.30 pm at Hakin October 12, 13, 14th, 15: Tenby. October 18, 19, 20, 21, 22: Fishguard. October 25, 26, 27, 28, 29: Haverfordwest. • The policy can also be viewed at any of the county council's offices through to the November 15 when the consultation period ends. It can also be read on the council's website http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk">www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk and copies can be received via e-mail by contacting [email protected]">[email protected]