3.1 The Council’s aspiration is that the Borough offers a wide variety of licensable activities that encourage diversity and inclusion of all sections of the community without detriment to local residents and businesses.

3.2 Premises providing licensable activities can add to the economy, life and vitality of town centres and shopping areas particularly in the evenings when shops have closed. They can also create and safeguard local jobs. However, without careful control they can for some businesses and residents become a great inconvenience, spoiling their enjoyment of shopping areas and undermining their sense of safety and wellbeing. The Council intends to exercise its powers under the Act in co-operation with the Police and in conjunction with its town planning and other powers to enable everyone to enjoy their local areas and shopping areas so that they are seen as the heart of local communities.

3.3 The Council’s intention is to encourage the operation of licensable activities in a way that does not undermine the licensing objectives. It is the Council’s wish to facilitate well managed premises with licence holders displaying sensitivity to the impact of the premises on local residents and businesses.

3.4 The Council acknowledges that licensing law is not the primary mechanism for the general control of nuisance and anti-social behaviour by individuals once they are away from the licensed premises and, therefore, beyond the direct control of the individual, club or business holding the licence, certificate or authorisation concerned. Nonetheless, it is a key aspect of such control and licensing law will always be part of a holistic approach to the management of the evening and night- time economy in town and city centres.

3.5 In carrying out its function under the Act the Council will avoid duplication with other regulatory regimes so far as it is possible.

3.6 Nothing in this Policy undermines the right of any person to apply for a variety of permissions, nor does it override the right of responsible authorities and other persons to make representations on any application or seek a review of a licence where they are permitted to do so under the Act. Appropriate weight will be given to all representations, excepting any that are deemed to be frivolous, vexatious or, at review repetitious, and every application will be considered by the Council on its individual merits having regard to this Policy, the licensing objectives and the Guidance.

3.7 If an application for a licence has been made lawfully and there have been no representations from responsible authorities or other persons, the Council must grant the application, subject only to conditions that are consistent with the operating schedule and relevant mandatory conditions.