Christmas event planners urged to apply for their licences early

EVENT organisers and the owners of licensed premises are being reminded by West Somerset Council to apply for temporary event notices (TENs) now to ensure their Christmas celebrations are stress-free.
TENs apply to the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainments, such as live music.
Licensing committee chairman Councillor Jenny Hill said: “This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday, so people need to check the hours on their premises licence or club premises certificate for Wednesday evenings.
“Quite often, premises have earlier closing times during the week and, if this is the case, businesses will need to either apply for a temporary event notice or for a permanent variation to the licence if they wish to have longer opening hours.”
It takes a minimum of 10 clear working days, which excludes Bank Holidays and weekends, to process applications for TENs.
This means that applications for TENs for Christmas Eve must be received by December 9 at the latest.
However, the district council recommends applying for TENs a month in advance to ensure the deadline is not missed and that applications can be processed in plenty of time, leaving event organisers free to plan their celebrations.
Councillor Hill said: “The last thing the council wants to be is a killjoy because we appreciate all the hard work that goes into special festive events.
“However, Government legislation is clear on the timescales for processing TENs and local authorities have no discretion on accepting late applications.
“This is why we are urging people to apply now.
“With New Year’s Eve also falling on a Wednesday, people should check their licences to ensure they are covered for both dates.
“Also, not all licences provide for an extension of hours on New Year’s Day, so people need to check carefully, and apply for TENs accordingly.
“Any TEN that extends to past midnight is classed as two days out of the 15 days permitted within the calendar year.”
The council offices will be closed from 1 pm on Wednesday, December 24, until Monday, January 5, 2009.
More information on TENs and other licensing laws is available on West Somerset Council’s website at www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk, or by emailing licensing@westsomerset.gov.uk or calling customer services on 01643 703704.

Police using new powers to reduce alcohol-fuelled crimes

NEW powers for police have resulted in a fall in trouble in West Somerset caused by drunken yobs, the district’s police chief said yesterday.
Inspector Carol Pearce said dispersal powers under the section 27 notices mean police can move on anybody who is displaying anti-social behaviour or whose conduct could result in alcohol-fuelled criminal activity.
Inspector Pearce said that since the introduction of the powers in February, officers had issued 22 notices in Minehead, making the town a safer place in which to live and to visit.
Police now have the power of arrest if anybody refuses to move on when asked to do so, resulting in seven people being arrested since February.
Inspector Pearce said: “It is having quite an impact on reported anti-social behaviour and minor nuisance crime, which have both seen quite a fall.
“It is also connected with work we have been doing with local agencies, including the district council and licensees, with regular enforcement incentives in premises.
“These orders make it much more pleasant for holidaymakers and residents.
“It is all down to the amount of work locally that has gone on.”