Council’s licensing call

Mar 4 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL have warned event organisers of new regulations covering licences.

Those organising events are being urged to check with the Licensing Team at an early stage to ensure that the correct licences are applied for, in order to build in time to meet the new timescale of a minimum of 35 days for submission.

The new measures were introduced at a meeting of the Council Executive during February.

The new timescale of a minimum of 35 days relates to the submission of applications for public entertainment licences, street trader’s licences, market operator’s licences and permissions for public charitable collections.

The new rule applies to all applications received from April 1. Late applications will not be processed.

Chair of the Licensing Committee Councillor John Cochrane commented: “This is a positive step as it will allow all of the relevant advisers to have sufficient time to report on applications.”

The process for approving applications involves consultation with a number of advisers, including the Chief Constable, the Fire Authority, Building Control, Environmental Health and Planning officers.

More information on licensing is available on the council’s website, www.westlothian.gov.uk