Section 349: Three-year licensing policy
858.Licensing authorities perform a number of different functions under the Act. They issue premises licences under Part 8, temporary use notices under Part 9, and a range of permits, under Parts 10, 12 and 13 and Schedules 10, 12, 13 and 14. To assist them in this task, and to provide transparency for those wishing to apply to a licensing authority for a permission under the Act, all authorities are required to prepare a licensing policy, covering all their functions.
859.This section sets out the procedures authorities must follow in preparing such a policy. Following widespread consultation, licensing authorities will publish a licensing policy statement describing the principles they intend to apply in exercising their various functions. The policy will have effect for three years, but the authority may review and alter the policy during that period. Regulations may be made by the Secretary of State (or Scottish Ministers in relation to Scotland) about the form of statements, the procedure to be followed in relation to them and their publication. An order of the Secretary of State will fix the first day of the initial three year period.