Thomas Bridge 12 August 2015

Error in licensing consultation could delay borough’s sweeping plans

Controversial plans from a London borough to tighten licensing laws could be shelved over an error in consultation documents, it has emerged.

Hackney Council has been consulting on a new licensing policy since May yet a production error on the list of proposed core hours for sites including music and dance venues, theatres and takeaway food shops has seen calls raised for the existing system to be extended over 2016.

If the proposals are accepted, Hackney will launch another consultation on its new licensing approach next year.

Plans would have seen introduction of a stricter borough-wide opening hours policy for licensed venues, alongside a policy meaning new nightclubs and dance venues in the famed nightlife location of Dalston would be ‘not considered appropriate’.

Cllr Emma Plouviez, licensing chair at Hackney Council, said: ‘Unfortunately there was a minor error in the published consultation document. Although this was not related to the part of the consultation affecting nightclub opening hours, which is what we know has caused the most concern, we want to ensure that everyone who takes the time to respond to any council consultation can have confidence that they did so with the full facts.

‘Hackney’s creative and night time economy is famous worldwide and brings valuable investment and employment into the borough, but first and foremost Hackney is a place for people to live. Balancing the needs of the night time economy with the rights of our residents to live in a peaceful and safe environment is one of the biggest challenges facing our borough.’

Campaign group We Love Hackney has warned a ‘small number of noise complaints cannot justify a clamp down on all new licenses that would wreak wider economic and cultural damage on the borough’.

‘This year the tube will start to run for 24 hours. Hackney is uniquely placed to take advantage of London’s status as 24-hour city. But what’s the point in a 24-hour tube if everything else is closed? Labelling music and dance venues “not considered appropriate”, and expecting people go home at 11pm, sends out a disastrous message that isn’t true to the borough,’ the body has warned.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Kinship Supervising Social Worker

Essex County Council
£38478 - £51834 per annum
. England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Maintenance Manager Street Lighting

Durham County Council
£38,220 - £41,771 (pay award pending)
Are you an experienced electrical or highways professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for delivering safe, high-quality services? We Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Construction Manager Street Lighting

Durham County Council
£47,181 - £51,356 (pay award pending)
We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Street Lighting Construction Manager to lead the delivery of our street lighting maintenance and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Service Manager - Supported Accomodation Service

Durham County Council
Grade 16, £56,554 - £60,680 per annum
Every young person deserves the chance to feel safe, valued and hopeful about their future. In County Durham, we are creating something special. We a Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,796 (pro rata)
Permanent Conract – Part Time, 12.5 hours per week
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner