Small live music events should not be exempt from licensing, the CIEH has said in its response to a government consultation.
Responding to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Consultation on a proposal to exempt small live music events from the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 CIEH Principal Policy Officer Howard Price said:
“No one wants to stifle these sorts of performances, and the evidence doesn’t suggest that this is happening anyway, but they can sometimes take place in unsuitable venues.
“The process under the Licensing Act provides a formal opportunity to examine the pros and cons and apply conditions or, occasionally, refuse applications for the benefit of the wider community and we think it should be retained.”
The CIEH consultation response says that the case for exemption has not been made but should the Department's plan go ahead, we agree with proposals for the containment of events within the building where the performance is taking place and local authorities should have a power to rescind the exemption on an individual basis.
In addition, we think that there need to be stricter limits on when an event might take place and that authorities should be given advance warning of exempt events.