- Navigation
-
- Do It Online
-
- Contact Details
-
- Useful Links
-
|
Business
Licences
About Our Service For Businesses
Key to symbols used in following guide:
(*) Copies of these licences, etc., should generally be on public
display at the premises to which they relate. If you don't see one
ask "why?" and try to find somewhere that is licensed.
(A) Applications for new licences or where there are substantial
changes to an existing license must be advertised in order that
residents can be given the opportunity to object to the application
and appear before the Licensing Applications Panel. In all other
cases there is no requirement for public advertisement.
Return to top of page
How to make an application
Guidance notes/leaflets and PDF application forms are available
from the List of Licences page. Each
application form carries the address to which it should be returned.
The general procedure for making an application is as as follows:
- Complete an application form
- Relevant forms are available to download, together with relevant
guidance notes, etc., or you may request an information pack
be sent to you using the request
form.
- Submit the completed application form together with
the appropriate fee
- If you fail to compete the application form fully, pay the
fee in full, or provide any information requested then the
application will not be processed.
- Further information on fees and charges.
- Advertisement of application, where appropriate
(A)
- Certain new applications and renewal applications that involve
significant changes are subject to public advertisement.
- Relevant documents, an advert and declaration, can be downloaded
together with the application form.
- Inspection of premises
- In the case of new applications an inspection is generally
carried out before the application is considered.
- An existing licensed activity will be subject to inspection
during the life of the licence, to ensure compliance with
any conditions attached to the licence.
- Inspections are usually carried out by one of the Council's
officers, though specialists may be engaged to carry out certain
visits (e.g. in the case of animal premises the Council's
veterinary adviser will be asked to visit and carry out an
inspection).
- Consideration of technical report
- In certain cases and generally where there are no objections,
an authorised officer of the council has the authority to
issue licences. The Licensing Applications Panel considers
the matter in all other cases.
- Consideration of any objections
- You will be informed that your application has been contested
and at that time you will be given the opportunity to defend
it. Where there are unresolved objections or in sensitive
cases the Licensing Application sub-committee sitting in public
will make the decision.
- In the case of Authorisations under the Environmental Protection
Act 1990 or Permits under the Pollution Prevention and Control
Act issued by the Council all decisions are made by authorised
officers.
- Decision
- Grant - the licence is issued. In some cases conditions are
attached to licences. These may be general and applied to all
such licences and/or specific to a particular application.
- Refuse - a letter of refusal is given clearly stating reasons
for the refusal.
- Where an application is refused or conditions imposed the
letter will detail the rights of appeal and any relevant time
limits.
- Late applications
- Applications to renew a licence received after expiry of
the old licence will be treated as a new application. In extenuating
circumstances a period of 3 weeks' grace may be allowed at
the sole discretion of the Assistant Director.
Return to top of page
When will I receive
my licence?
The relevant legislation may prescribe time limits for issuing
decisions, where this is the case the relevant time limits will
be explained in the application form/guidance notes. In all other
cases it is our aim to:
-
issue decisions on all new applications within 6 weeks of receipt.
Many will be dealt with sooner. In a few cases it may take longer,
especially if the matter needs to be considered by the Licensing
Applications Panel. In these cases you will be informed of the
reason for the delay and the date by which a decision can be
expected.
-
process applications for renewal within 3 weeks of receipt
of the application. If for any reason the decision is likely
to be delayed then you will be informed of the reason for the
delay and the date by which a decision can be expected.
We look forward to receiving your application and if you have
any difficulty with any of the forms or have any questions, please
contact us.
Return to top of page
What happens if a licence
is refused?
The Council can only refuse a Licence if they have good reason
to do so. If the Council still wishes to refuse the application,
they will set out their decision in writing giving the reasons for
their decision. They will also explain how you can appeal against
their decision.
Return to top of page
When will the licence
expire?
Most licences issued by the Council are for one year. The licence
may expire 12 months from the date of issue or on a set date each
year. This should be made clear on the application form and/or guidance
notes.
It is the licensee's duty to ensure that they apply for a licence
renewal in good time. For most licences renewal is a straightforward
procedure. We aim to send reminders to all licence holders at least
one month before the licence expires.
Return to top of page
Can a licence be
transferred?
Most licences are transferable. It is always advisable to contact
us before entering into any negotiations to transfer a licence to
a new person because the Council must approve the transfer.
Return to top of page
Types of Licence
Please see our list of licences.
Return to top of page
Our licensing promises
We will:
- Advise enquirers on the licensing requirements.
- Where appropriate consult with other council departments, and/or
other enforcement agencies about applications, including the police
when we have to ensure that the applicant is a fit person to hold
a licence.
- Carry out unannounced inspections of premises when licensed
events are in progress.
- Investigate unlicensed events or breaches of licence condition,
and either warn the persons responsible or take action against
them in accordance with our
 enforcement
policy (PDF
file, 33KB).
- Give one months' notice of licence expiry.
- Advise applicants of their right of appeal.
- Issue licences:
- Within 6 weeks in respect of new applications, or provide
an explanation of the delay and a date by which a decision
will be made.
- Within 3 weeks for applications to renew an existing licence.
In these cases an application to renew must be received before
the expiry of the old licence.
Return to top of page
Making a complaint
If you have a complaint about our service and have been unable
to resolve the matter with the officer concerned please contact
Clive Cain, Head of Environmental Health (Commercial) on 020 8308 7633, e-mail clive.cain@bexley.gov.uk.
If you are still dissatisfied click here [Feedback]
|
