ALL THINGS LICENSING


Article by Mike Smith, Senior Specialist for Licensing and Community Safety at Guildford Borough Council and Vice-Chair of the Institute of Licensing South East Region.


Please note that this article represents my own views which are not presented as the views of the Institute of Licensing or Guildford Borough Council.


May promises to be a busy month!


Not only are there three Bank Holidays and the coronation of His Majesty the King, for taxi licensing authorities which form part of a democratically elected local council, May promises to bring the excitement of local elections, and then of course there’s the PHTM EXPO at Milton Keynes on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 May.


Local Elections


Elections begin for local authorities with the pre-election period which involves publicity restrictions to all council communications so as not to publish any material which appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party.


Furthermore public consultation exercises should generally not take place, unless required by law.


Different councils hold elections at different intervals with some councils only polling for a few seats, whereas others vote on all elected seats, which potentially creates the prospect for considerable political change.


This should be of interest to the taxi trade as a possible new political administration at a local authority may mean new members on the Licensing Committee and the opportunity to campaign for a different approach to policy matters.


64 MAY 2023 PHTM


IoL Briefing Note on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974


Away from May’s local elections, the Institute of Licensing has recently published a briefing note in response to requests and concerns by IoL members regarding protected convictions and cautions.


The Briefing Note has been prepared for the Institute of Licensing by President and noted Licensing Solicitor, James Button together with Stephen Turner of Hull City Council and Chair of the IoL’s Suitability Guidance working group, in response to what we believe is a need to provide some assistance


to licensing authorities,


applicants and representatives in relation to protected convictions and cautions.


The Briefing Note has been endorsed by Lawyers in Local Government (LLG), the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and the National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers (NALEO) and is intended to provide useful guidance to those with an interest in taxi licensing. The briefing note however does not constitute legal advice.


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