14/12/2009 - Changes to local music Act opposed
Council leaders have warned that a revision of current legislation which prohibits bars, pubs and cafes from staging live music events could lead to a massive increase in noise problems.
Nine out of 10 council licensing officers believe that a relaxation of the current rules to allow businesses to stage live music would lead to an increase in complaints from local residents who would have no control over whether events should go ahead or not, according to a recent poll carried out by the Local Government Association Group (LGA).
The Government is proposing an exemption to the 2003 Licensing Act which would allow bars, clubs and cafes to put on live music for fewer than 100 people without the need for a licence.
Councils are making business owners aware of new changes to the Act that enable them to add live music to existing licences simply by filling in an application form under what is known as the "minor variations" process.
The LGA Group has argued that further changes to the current Act are unnecessary.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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