This page gives guidance on what to do if you want to support or oppose a licence application, or request a review of a premises licence once it has been granted.
The legislation defines those who can make a "representation" (support or oppose a licence in writing) as:
- interested parties - a person living or involved in business in the vicinity of the premises, or a body representing those persons who live or carry on business in the vicinity of the premises
- responsible authorities - police, fire authority, environmental health, health and safety, planning, trading standards and social services.
Cambridge City Council, acting as the licensing authority, has no power itself to make a representation to any licence or variation application or to initiate a review of a premises licence.
Any interested party or responsible authority can make a representation about an application for a new premises licence or a variation of an existing licence. If no representations are received the licence will be granted.
How to know if a licence application has been made
Applicants must fix a notice to the premises for 28 consecutive days and advertise the application in the local press's public notices section.
The application will appear on our online licence register for you to view and you can make a representation online.
Temporary event notices
Temporary event notices are used to authorise events lasting no more than 96 hours, which are for less than 500 people at any one time. These notices are delivered to the council and the police no less than 10 working days before the event. Only the police can object to such notices.
Licensing objectives
The Licensing Act is based around four licensing objectives:
- the prevention of crime and disorder
- public safety
- the prevention of public nuisance
- the protection of children from harm.
Representations or reviews must relate to these licensing objectives and not to any other issues.
How to make a representation about a licence
Representations must received by the council's licensing team before the advertised closing date.
You can either:
- view the application on our online licence register and make a representation online
- use the following form - Representations form for interested person / body
Representations not considered
The law requires that if a representation, or a request for a review, is considered by the council to be frivolous, vexatious or not relevant, then it may be denied. There is no appeal against such a decision.
A request for a review can also be denied if it repeats the grounds of a previous review and a reasonable amount of time has not passed since then.
What happens to a valid representation?
The licensing officer will normally attempt to enable negotiation in order to resolve the issue. If no resolution can be found the representation, or review request, is required to go before a sub-committee of three councillors who will hear the matter.
If representations are received a hearing will be held to determine the application. You may attend and speak in support of your representation.
Only those issues given in writing beforehand may be presented at the hearing. So any additional points may not be raised at the hearing.
The licensing officer is not able to work on behalf of anyone making a representation, nor help them to prepare their representation or speak on their behalf.
The sub-committee may grant a licence with or without additional conditions, exclude from the licence a licensable activity, suspend the licence for up to three months, take away the licence or reject the application or review request.
There is no power to grant a licence for a limited trial period. A licence will normally be granted for an indefinite period - until it is suspended or taken away.
Appeals
The applicant and anyone who lodged a representation may appeal against the decision of the council to the magistrates' court.
Premises licence reviews for existing licences
Any interested party or responsible authority may apply to the council for the review of an existing premises licence.
To instigate a review, a form needs to be completed and sent to the licensing team with copies to the responsible authorities.
- Premises licence application form - for the review of a premises licence or club premises certificate
- Premises licence review - guidance for interested parties
Contact
For further help or advice please contact a licensing officer by email at licensing@cambridge.gov.uk or call 01223 457879.
Licensing Team
Cambridge City Council
PO Box 700
Cambridge
CB1 OJH
Normal office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am – 4.30pm on Fridays.
