Department for Transport have issued revised guidance to assist local licensing authorities in carrying out their taxi and private hire vehicle licensing functions.

An independent report published today suggests that the drinks industry is failing to adhere to a voluntary agreement with Government on alcohol labels and just 15 per cent of drinks give consumers enough information about units and health harms.

Meanwhile, the BBPA state that Britain’s brewers have made considerable progress in voluntary labelling.

The Scottish Government, along with the other devolved administrations and Department for Health, has today launched a consultation on alcohol labelling.

The first agreement between all the key players on what constitutes ‘excellence' in delivering outcomes through the local authority regulatory system has been signed off and published in an Excellence Framework document.

Amendment 120 A with Implications for restricted plate authorities was moved by Baroness Wilkins and agreed in Parliament on 9th February

Local communities will soon have greater powers to challenge the number and location of lap dancing clubs in their area Home Office Minister Alan Campbell announced today.

Pubs, hotels and restaurants across Britain will now receive up £20 million in refunds following today’s High Court ruling rejecting an appeal brought by the music collection agency PPL (Phonographic performance Ltd) over the charges for the playing of music in pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels.

The Association of Charity Shops estimates that between £2.5 and £3 million is lost to charities through theft and people mistakenly giving unwanted clothing to commercial companies in the belief that they are giving to charity.

The industry highlights principle threats arising from HMRC’s attempt to reclassify quiz machines as gambling machines

Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP, Minister of State for Transport has issued a written statement in relation to the Review of the Impact of the Repeal of the Private Hire Vehicle Contract Exemption

Housing minister John Healey has been handed responsibility for reinvigorating the UK’s pub industry

Two revolutionary prototype pint glasses designed to reduce injuries caused by nearly 87,000 glass attacks each year were unveiled at the Design Council on 4th February by the Home Secretary Alan Johnson

Local authorities are to get the power to impose blanket bans on the sale of alcohol after 3am in entire streets or city centres affected by alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and disorder. .

The Institute welcomes J D Wetherspoon as a member bringing with it a wealth of experience from its 752 strong pub empire employing 20,000 staff.

Former Liverpool Football Club chief executive Rick Parry today recommends that a national cross-sports integrity unit be established to best tackle the threat of betting corruption in sport.

The draft regulations which bring into force the mandatory drinks code have been laid before Parliament. They require resolutions from both Houses before they are confirmed.

The Institute of Licensing is delighted to announce the appointment of 2 new Vice Chairs.

This guidance issued by the Home Office explains the offence of persistently possessing alcohol in a public place as contained in Section 30 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, which received Royal Assent on 13 November 2009.

Revised guidance comes into force today.

The 2ND of the Institute’s 2010 Annual Training Courses will be held over 3 days (19 - 21 April 2010) in BUXTON.

Training will be provided by Poppleston Allen Solicitors:

Day 1 – Graeme Cushion

Day 2 – James Anderson

Day 3 - Nick Arron

Both courses are residential course, and delegates may opt to attend single days or all three days on either course, both with or without accommodation

Course Objectives:
to increase knowledge, expertise and practical application of licensing law
and ancillary legislation, processes and procedures