News: Red Tape Challenge - Have Your Say

  • Date: 20/05/2011
  • Author/Solicitor: Nick Arron

The Cabinet Office is currently consulting on how it can remove red tape from the hospitality industry. The initiative is part of the wider Red Tape Challenge. This is our opportunity to communicate our views to the Government on how they can simplify licensing, gambling and other regulations relating to the hospitality industry.

The consultation runs until the 2nd June and it is important that as many respond as possible on the Red Tape holding back our industry.

To have your say please visit the Government's Red Tape Challenge website http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/.

We are currently preparing our response. This will include the requirement to advertise licensing applications in local papers; an expensive and unnecessary burden. Very few residents become aware of licensing applications through local papers. Instead they see the displayed notice outside the premises. Electronic applications are another issue. At present they simply don't work! Local Authorities are required to accept licensing applications electronically but, in our experience, very few do. The ability to make licensing applications electronically has significant cost benefits and we will be encouraging the Government to ensure Local Authorities implement the necessary IT systems.

This is just one way we can cut the bureaucracy inherent in licensing applications. A fresh look at the forms could simplify their long and often repetitive nature. Signage requirements could be scaled back, for instance the requirement for smoke free signs - a ban which is now universally known and understood.

We acknowledge that the Government is taking some small steps to reduce red tape in licensing. The current Live Music Bill seeks to exempt small music events from licensing requirements; the Government is introducing legislation to remove Alcohol Disorder Zones and has consulted on removing the mandatory conditions. These initiatives should be pursued.

Within the gambling sector a general reduction in the licensing cost, which increased significantly under the Gambling Act 2005, would provide a boost to the industry.

If you would like to make any comments in relation to our proposed response please contact us at /contact/contact.asp . Otherwise please respond to the Government's initiative before it is too late - it was after all a manifesto commitment.