Licensing glossary

Resources

Glossary of definitions

All the definitions you need to know in one place.

 

Associate Member

Someone allowed entry in to a qualifying club by virtue of being a member of another recognised club.


Authorised Person

Enforcement Officers from the Licensing or other authority. eg. Environmental Health Officer, or Fire Officer.


Club Gaming Permit

Permit granted by the local Licensing Authority to a Qualifying Club which allows increased limits for stakes, participation fees and prizes for gaming and up to 3 gaming machines from categories B3A (only one), B4, C or D in their premises.


Club Machine Permit

Permit granted by the local Licensing Authority which allows increased limits for stakes, participation fees and prizes for Equal Chance Gaming and up to 3 gaming machines from Categories B3A (B4, C or D in their premises. (Commercial Clubs may not operate Category B3A machines).


Club Premises Certificate

Authorisation from the local Licensing Authority for a Qualifying Club to carry out Qualifying Club Activities.


Designated Premises Supervisor

The person named on the Premises Licence as being the person with ultimate responsibility for the running of the premises. He or she must hold a Personal Licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003. There can only be one Designated Premises Supervisor for each premises.


Equal Chance Gaming

Gaming where each player has an equal chance of winning and where there is no ‘bank’. Examples of games of equal chance include poker, bingo, bridge, whist, cribbage and dominoes, whereas roulette and pontoon are not equal chance gaming.


Exempt Gaming

Equal Chance Gaming permitted in licensed premises without the need for a permit, licence or authorisation, subject to strict limitations on stake, prize and participation fees.


Gaming Machine Notification (Automatic Entitlement)

Licensed premises have the right to have 1 or 2 Category C or D gaming machines if they notify the council of their intention to do so and pay a fee. Entitlement can be revoked.


Guidance

National Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 published under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. It has been substantially amended and gives assistance in understanding the Act.


Licensable Activities

Activities undertaken at premises which require the authority of a Premises Licence, Club Premises Certificate or Temporary Event Notice.


 Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permit

Permit obtained from the Licensing Authority permitting 3 or more Category C or D gaming machines in a licensed premises.


Licensing Authority

The Local Authority where a particular premises is situated or where a Personal Licence holder habitually resides.


Licensing Board

A board of council members who determine licensing applications and oversee the licensing regime under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 in its area.


Licensing Committee

A committee of not less than ten and not greater than 15 Council members to which the discharge of the licensing function is delegated by the Council. The whole committee may sit or delegate its responsibility to sub committees consisting of at least three members.


Licensing Objectives

These are the fundamental principles upon which the licensing system is based. There are four in England and Wales;

  • Prevention of crime and disorder
  • Prevention of public nuisance
  • Protection of children from harm
  • Public safety

A fifth objective in Scotland is;

  • Protecting and improving public health

Licensing Standards Officers

The operation of licensed premises is overseen by council appointed Licensing Standard Officers (LSOs). The role of the LSO has powers to ensure compliance with the conditions of licences including the power to apply for a review of a Premises Licence.


Mandatory Conditions

Conditions applied to every Premises Licence and Club Premises Certificate.


Operating Schedule

Document incorporated in an application form prepared by the Applicant for a Premises Licence or a Club Premises Certificate detailing how the premises will operate (hours, Licensable Activities etc) and how the Applicant will promote the Licensing Objectives. Details in the Operating Schedule will form the basis of conditions on the Premises Licence.


Personal Licence (Licensing Act 2003)

A licence issued by the Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 enabling an individual to sell alcohol and authorise the sale of alcohol at premises with the benefit of a Premises Licence.


Personal Licence (Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005)

A licence issued by the Licensing Board under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 authorising an individual to supervise or authorise the sale of alcohol.


Premises Licence (Licensing Act 2003)

A written authorisation from the Licensing Authority allowing a premises to carry out Licensable Activities.


Premises Licence (Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005)

A licence granted under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 by the Licensing Board permitting the sale of alcohol.


Premises Manager

Every Premises Licence granted under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 must specify who is to be the Premises Manager. There can only be one Premises Manager per premises and that individual may not, at any one time, be the Premises Manager of more than one licensed premises. The Premises Manager must hold a personal licence issued under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.


Provisional Statement

A preliminary approval by the Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 on the basis of a set of plans showing proposed alterations to existing premises or premises which have not yet been built. A Premises Licence application will still be necessary even though a Provisional Statement has been granted.


Provisional Premises Licence

A Premises Licence granted under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 which are under construction or conversion which is not official until it has been confirmed by the Licensing Board.


Qualifying Club

A club must be established in good faith with at least 25 members and adhere to membership requirements and an alcohol supply policy as per the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.


Qualifying Club Activities

The supply or sale of alcohol by or on behalf of a Qualifying Club to a member or guest of a member and the provision of regulated entertainment on behalf of a club to members or guests of members.


Responsible Authority

Police Officers, Fire Officers, Environmental Health Officers, Trading Standards Officers, Planning Officers, the Licensing Officer, the Primary Care Trust (in England) or Local Health Board (in Wales) and representatives of the Child Welfare and Protection Department of the Authority and the Secretary of State (Home Office Immigration Enforcement).


Review of Premises Licence

An application made by a Responsible Authority or residents or business, asking the Licensing Authority to reconsider the conditions on a Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate and whether that licence should be revoked or suspended for up to three months.


Statement of Licensing Policy

Document published by the Local Authority detailing how the licensing regime will work at a local level.


Summary Review

The Police may apply to the Licensing Authority for the summary review of a premises licence where they believe the premises are associated with serious crime, serious disorder or both. This is a form of ‘fast track’ review and the Licensing Authority must decide, within 48 hours, whether to take any interim steps pending the outcome of the full review of the premises licence, which must be concluded within 28 days of the receipt of the application for review.


Temporary Event Notice (TEN)

An authorisation allowing Licensable Activities to take place in a particular premises for a defined period. This can either extend the permitted hours at licensed premises or alternatively licence unlicensed premises for a limited period of time. There are limits per calendar year on the number of times a premises may issue a TEN. The maximum number of people permitted on premises covered by the Temporary Event Notice is 499 including staff.