The licensing authority regulates and enforces all licences issued under The Licensing Act 2003.
The Licensing Act 2003 is all based on the promotion of four licensing objectives
- the prevention of public nuisance
- the protection of children from harm
- public safety
- the prevention of crime and disorder.
All 4 of the licensing objectives have equal importance and all licensed premises must seek to promote these at all times.
All premises that offer sale/supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment must have the relevant permission under the terms of The Licensing Act 2003, either a premises licence, club premises certificate or a temporary events notice.
If you have any complaints or concerns about a premise
If you believe premises are unlicensed, operating outside their permitted hours or failing to promote the licensing objectives, you can contact us by email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk
Once concerns have been raised, the licensing authority will investigate the matter and deal with the issue in line with East Riding of Yorkshire Council's licensing policy enforcement protocols.
Licensing Act Policy (pdf 394kb)
The licensing authority is not able to investigate anonymous complaints, and will always ask for complainants details to enable a full investigation and feedback to you.
All complaints detail will always be kept confidential, unless the investigation leads to a full prosecution in which the complainants details may have to be released.
Some complaints about licensed premises can be dealt with by other departments within the council or external partners as below:
Environmental Control
Planning
Trading Standards
Fire Authority (external website)
Humberside Police (external website)
The licensing authority takes out regular programmed and un-programmed inspections on licensed premises. Where possible they will do joint inspections with other responsible authorities to limit the burden on the trade.
The licensing officers regularly work evenings and weekends to ensure that they can deliver a service that meets the requirements of the licensed trade.
Licensing officers have a right of entry onto licensed premises at any reasonable time; it would be an offence to obstruct an officer in their duty.
The licensing authority will investigate all breaches in licence condition or unlicensed activity all enforcement is carried out in line with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's licensing policy.
Licensing Act Policy (pdf 394kb)
Making an objection or representation against a licence application
Relevant persons and the relevant authorities can make objections to Licensing Act 2003 applications.
An relevant person is anyone.
In order to be accepted as valid, objections must be relevant to one or more of the four licensing objectives;
- the prevention of crime and disorder
- public safety
- the prevention of public nuisance
- the protection of children from harm
For more information on the 4 licensing objectives please refer to the licensing policy below:
Licensing Act Policy (pdf 394kb)
Objections will not be accepted as valid by the licensing authority if they are:
- irrelevant – not applicable to the application or any of the four licensing objectives
- vexatious - considered to be based on business rivalry
- frivolous - lacking in seriousness.
To view a public summary of a licence application received.
If you want to make an objection to the licensing authority you must put it in writing and send to:
East Riding Of Yorkshire Council
Cross Street
Beverley
East Riding Of Yorkshire
HU17 9BA
or by email to licensing@eastriding.gov.uk.
You must include your name and address and the reasons for the objection.
Objections can only be accepted during the representation period which always lasts 28 days for an application.
The date for the deadline for objections will be published in an advertisement on the premises and once in a local newspaper. They will also be listed on The Licensing Act 2003 public register.
If you are an interested party and would like to view an application for a licence please contact the licensing authority by on of the following ways:
Using the Contact the council page.
Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk
Reviews
An application can be made for a review of a premise licence or club premises certificate by any of the responsible authorities or relevant person.
The applicant for a review must give a copy of the application to the licence holder or club premises certificate holder as well as all the responsible authorities.
The licensing authority must hold a hearing unless the application for a review is considered to be frivolous, vexatious or repetitious.
The decision made by the licensing committee in respect of a review does not come into place until the appeal period has ended this is 21 days after the decision is given to all interested parties.
Application to review a premises licence (word 87kb)
Appeals
An appeal can be made against any decision made by the licensing committee by the applicant for a licence, the applicant for a review, the holder of a premises licence or any person that made an objection to an application.
Appeals must be made in writing to the magistrates' court for the area where the premises is located no longer than 21 days starting on the day the applicant was informed of the committee's decision.
Inspections/enforcement
The licensing authority takes out regular programmed and un-programmed inspections on licensed premises. Where possible they will do joint inspections with other responsible authorities to limit the burden on the trade.
The licensing officers regularly work evenings and weekends to ensure that they can deliver a service that meets the requirements of the licensed trade.
All enforcement is carried out in line with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's licensing policy:
Licensing Act Policy (pdf 394kb)