Introduction to Licensing

The licensing department falls within the service area of Community Safety Services alongside Environmental Health, Trading Standards, and Community Safety and reports to the Service Director for Highways and Community Protection.

The licensing department is responsible for carrying out the council’s functions under relevant licensing legislation in accordance with council policies, guidance and procedures.

Experienced and qualified licensing staff deal with applications for many different licences, permits, consents, registrations and requests for assistance from both the business and public communities.

In determining the majority of applications, a consultation will take place with the public, statutory authorities, councillors, other council officers and public bodies. View a list of applications which are currently under consultation.

The majority of applications are issued by officers. However in circumstances where applications are contested, these are normally determined by the Licensing Committee. View the reports and minutes of recent meetings.

The licensing department ensure that licence conditions are complied with and will investigate allegations of unlicensed activity. Enforcement action will be taken as necessary, in line with the department’s Enforcement Policy (PDF, 216 KB, 11 pages) .

In general, all licences require an application or annual fee. Many are set by legislation. Those which are not are set by the council and are reviewed on an annual basis. The fee covers the cost of the administration and compliance of the licence. View a list of licence fees.