Problem premises - red and yellow cards

We have seen the first public consultation (at least by us) of a proposed change to a licensing policy to 'adopt' or endorse the Government's previously announced red card/yellow card proposals.  (East Dorset - as attached)

 

The most significant effect of the adoption of such seems to be the stated encouragement on the part of an enforcing authority not to engage in an informal dialogue with perceived problem premises with a view to addressing the issue but to immediately go to review so that the licensing authority can have a direct input at an earlier point in the process, with the imposition of new obligations on the part of a licensee.

 

In the absence of improvement following the first review, there is again active encouragement to apply for a further review and to seek the revocation of the licence.  The fact that some councils may be moving in this direction is yet another example of the apparently unending and increasing regulatory pressure on licensed operators and their premises.

 

Certainly this appears to be a more robust approach than we originally envisaged when these proposals were first trailed.

 

John Gaunt

0114 2668664

07860 490604