Licensing Section
Man holding applications forms looking confused.
Information, fees, advice and application forms relating to the council's licensing function.
Top Tasks
The licensing team of the Community Services Directorate is responsible for the licensing function on behalf of the Council. The objective is to maintain & improve standards of public safety in respect of licensed premises, persons and vehicles. This is achieved by a balanced approach of education and enforcement in relation to the appropriate legislation. The team has a close working relationship with the Police, Fire Authority and other appropriate officers within the council.
We aim, through the licensing process, to ensure safe premises, prevent unsafe practices and generally protect members of the public in their everyday enjoyment of life and social activities. Licensing also promotes and protects the welfare of animals in pet shops, animal boarding facilities or the hiring of services such as horse riding. Standards are maintained through inspection of premises and by investigation of complaints. The licensing process, if properly operated, should ensure a level playing field for all, and that bonafide businesses are not adversely affected by unlicensed operators.
The Law guides the Council on how a Licence should be issued, who should be consulted, the fee to be charged, its enforcement duties, offences, powers of entry, prosecution procedures as well as on refusal and revocation powers. In many cases the Council can add to the Law by introducing conditions and by-laws. These are usually included to reflect unique local policy and circumstances over and above national requirement.
New Licensing Act
Early in 2005, the Licensing Team also became responsible for administrating a brand new licensing regime introduced by the Licensing Act 2003. This is an important new piece of legislation which brings together liquor licensing, public entertainment and night cafes and transfers responsibility from the Magistrates Courts to the Council. The Act introduces Premises Licences, Club Premises Certificates , Personal Licences and Temporary Event Notices. Guidance on how to make application's and forms are available in the Licensing Act 2003 section of this website.
The Act also requires each licensing authority to prepare and publish a statement of licensing policy every three years. Such a policy must be published before the authority carries out any function in respect of individual application's made under the terms of the 2003 Act.
For more information on the type of activities that may need a licence, please contact us on either the telephone or fax number below or refer to the frequently asked questions section of this site.
Recent Applications
Please see the related content section on the right hand side.
Licensing Committee
The Council's licensing function is overseen by the Licensing Committee, which is made up of a group of up to 15 elected members of the Council, with powers and duties given to them by the Council. The Licensing Committee meet regularly to deal, with any relevant business requiring decisions that relate to licensing matters. They have also delegated some of their responsibilities under the Licensing act 2003 to Licensing Panels which are made up of 3 members of the full committee. These panels will hear contested application's and requests for review under the new Licensing Act.
Day-to-day handling of most routine matters is delegated to the officers employed by the Council and these are the people to contact in the first instance, whether you have a query, wish to make an application for a licence, or have a comment or complaint to make.
Contact for the Licensing Team
If you require any further information on any of our services you can contact us by:
By Phone: 01253 658658
By Fax: 01253 713113
By E-mail: licensing@fylde.gov.uk
By Post
Licensing Team
Fylde Borough Council
St Anne's Town Hall
Lytham St Anne's
Lancashire
FY8 1LW
