Licensing authorities in England and Wales (district, metropolitan and county councils, the police and central government departments) exercise a large number of licensing and registration functions covering a wide range of activities, including alcohol, entertainment, gambling, firearms, consumer credit, taxis, coaches, housing, pleasure boats or even radio transmissions.

These regimes are implemented for the protection of the public and the communities they serve, generally to prevent crime and disorder; prevent public nuisance, and to protect the vulnerable, the environment or the financial interests of consumers.

They also provide consumer protections, by ensuring for example that taxis are mechanically safe, alcohol is not sold to children, and that charity donations reach the intended recipients.

Why the Institute of Licensing?
In 1996 the Local Government Licensing Forum was formed by a number of local government officers from various professional backgrounds, to enable officers to:

• exchange information
• give mutual support
• provide training in licensing matters
• act as a collective, respected and powerful voice at government levels on areas of concern.

In 2003, recognising the continuing needs for a professional organisation to serve the interests of practitioners in local government and elsewhere (such as the police, private sector and the legal profession) the Institute of Licensing was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. A year later, it incorporated the Society of Licensing Practitioners, a body with similar aims to our own, and in 2006 we became a registered charity.

The Institute responds to the needs of the membership in respect of the significance attached to different areas of licensing. The stated objectives of the organisation are set out in the company's Memorandum & Article of Association for the benefit of the public as follows:

• to advance the development, evaluation and recognition of professional skill, technical competency, ethical conduct and practical achievement in the field of licensing and regulatory activity; including their application in the public and private sectors and in the framing and enforcement of laws and regulations in pursuit of prevention of crime disorder and nuisance, the promotion of health and safety, the protection of children and vulnerable people, the protection of the environment and other licensing and regulatory objectives;
• the fostering of mutual understanding and respect between practitioners and the communities and sectors they serve;
• the development, encouragement and certification of related standards, education, training, study, scholarship, communication, consultation, knowledge creation and information dissemination; and
• other activity consistent with the public good in the field.

A key working strength for the Institute are its eleven regions which operate throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each region is operated through a regional committee and hold regular meetings / events regionally which can be attended by members from any region, no matter where they live or work.

In November 1997, the first national Public Protection and Licensing conference was held at the Home Office Emergency Planning College in Easingwold, Yorkshire over four days. Over fifty delegates attended and had the opportunity to hear a wide range of speakers, on a wider range of topics.

This event became established as our signature annual event, with successive conferences being held in Stockport (twice), Swansea, Torquay, Newcastle, Peterborough, Blackpool(2005), York(2006), Brighton(2007), Bristol(2008), Leeds(2009), Cardiff (2010), Manchester (2010), and Birmingham (2011).

In 2011, in response to the changing financial climate, and the increased need for targeted, affordable training, the Annual Training Event was overhauled resulting in more options both in terms of the training sessions, accommodation options and a big increase in sponsorship, enabling the IOL to offer the biggest and best annual training event so far.

An important element of the Institute is training, and in addition to the National Training Event we organise residential and non residential training courses throughout the year on different subjects including current issues relevant at the time.  Courses for 2011 will include  a one day training course primarily aimed at members of the licensing committee but also suitable for officers detailing the proposed legislative changes and more generally on the role of a Councillor at a licensing hearing.  The training will be available to be delivered at your organisation will be £1000 plus vat includes travel and any other expenses to deliver the training at your location. We will also be running a series of seminars examining the changes that will need to be made in light of the PRSRA and the DCMS proposals

For details of our plan training events, please go to the events page, or email training@instituteoflicensing.org  for any specific training related queries.

The Institute operates throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The Board of Trustees is made up of a regional director for each region (this may also be the regional chair), together with other national officers including the chair, vice chairs and treasurer. 

Accountable to the membership, the Board sets the strategic direction, policy and work for the purpose of co-ordinating national activities, responding to government and other proposals, running our events, and promoting recognised licensing qualifications.

The Board’s work is delegated to various committees, with specific remits to play:

• Management
• Events
• Organisation & Development

The Institute currently employs 2 full-time officers:

• Executive Officer, Sue Nelson
• Training and Qualifications Officer, Jim Hunter

In addition the our employees, the work of the Institute would not be possible without our contractors:

• Natasha Mounce – Co-ordinator
• Linda Bendell – Admin
• Caroline Day – Bookkeeping