From 24 November 2005, Eastbourne Borough Council assumed responsibility for alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment licences under the Licensing Act 2003.
Partnership Working Success in Eastbourne
Since the new system went live, joint visits to licensed premises have been made by members of Eastbourne Borough Council’s Licensing Team, the Police and Fire Service.
Only a small number of premises were found to be trading illegally or in breach of conditions imposed by the Licensing Sub Committee. Through proactive advice and more formal mechanisms all premises are now compliant with the legislation.
One year on from the changes to the licensing laws, injury violent crime figures across Sussex are down. See the press release from Sussex Police for more details.
Over the Christmas period last year, the Environmental Health team received just two complaints about licensed premises, significantly lower than the same period the previous year.
This may largely be attributed to members of the team working closely with members of the licensing trade, residents and statutory partners, something which the council remains committed to.
Involving the Community
Interested parties - local residents and businesses in the vicinity of a licensed premises - or a Responsible Authority (the Police, Environmental Health or other statutory authority) can:
send the council an objection to a licence application ('make a representation') on grounds relating to one or more of the four licensing objectives
apply for a formal review of a licence in the event of problems, such as noise, nuisance or crime and disorder emanating from a venue
You can tell us what you think of the new licensing laws one year on using our new Discussion Forum.
Safe and Well Managed Venues
One of the key aims is to ensure that Eastbourne has licensed venues which are safe and well managed.
This will be balanced against mechanisms to protect residents and a robust enforcement strategy which will be undertaken by the council's Licensing Department and other partners, for example the Police and Trading Standards, to ensure that patrons and premises conduct themselves appropriately.
East Sussex Trading Standards and Sussex Police target underage drinking, including:
- Checking bar staff and staff of off-licences and supermarkets for selling alcohol to juveniles
- Carrying out test purchasing in off licences, supermarkets and shops to identify sales to underage individuals
Regular checks will also be carried out to ensure that all door supervisors hold the correct licences from the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
