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Licensing Act 2003

West Oxfordshire District Council is responsible for processing, determining and issuing the following licences under the Licensing Act 2003:

Premises licences
Club Premises Licences
Personal Licences
Temporary Event Notices (TENs)

Application forms and guidance can be downloaded from the Licensing Act 2003 Application and Guidance Page.

Temporary Events Notices

If you wish to apply for a Temporary Event Notice in the near future, please note the notice MUST be received by the Licensing Authority and the Police ten working days exclusive of the event. 'Ten working days' means ten working days exclusive of the day on which the event is to start, and exclusive of the day on which the notice is given. (Weekends and Bank Holidays are not working days) For example, if we receive an TEN on a Monday, the first day is counted from the Tuesday.

Applications and Notices by electronic means

An amendment to the Licensing Act 2003 came into force on 28 December 2009. This will allow applications and notices to be submitted 'by means of a relevant electronic facility'. Plans and any other supporting documentation may also, from this date, be sent by electronic means. Where applications or notices are sent by electronic means, the Licensing Authority is now responsible for giving notice of the application to each responsible authority as applicable. This will be no later than the first working day after the application was given to the authority.

To apply online you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 9 or later. This is available to download free here

Any queries, please contact the Licensing Office on 01993 861636 or email community.services@westoxon.gov.uk

New applications and applications to vary premises licences and club premises certificates will be the subject of a 28 day period of consultation. Applications are sent to a range of responsible authorities (these include the police, fire authority, the local enforcement agency for Health & Safety, the Council's environmental health and planning services, and the local body responsible for matters relating to the protection of children from harm.) In addition, applications are sent to the elected member who is responsible for the ward the premises are in, and the relevant Parish Council. The applicant is required to place a blue site notice at the premises and place an advertisement in a local newspaper, these provide information about the application and how interested parties can make representations. More information can be obtained on the procedure for each application can be found on the Licensing Act 2003 Application and Guidance Page.

Applications will be considered based on the impact of the four Licensing objectives:

the prevention of crime and disorder;
the prevention of public nuisance;
public safety;
the protection of children from harm.

The Council has completed the 3 year review of the Statement of Licensing Policy. The revised Policy comes into effect on 7 January 2011. This document outlines how the Council, in its capacity as the Licensing Authority, will manage applications made under the Licensing Act 2003. Please be aware this document is 56 pages. It is also available in a hard format by contacting the Licensing Team.

The Council will promote the licensing objectives by attaching conditions to licences. These conditions will be based upon the details that applicants provide in their operating schedules and may be mandatory, or will result from the determination of an application by a Licensing Panel.

One of the key elements of the Act is the removal of standard licensing hours. Premises may apply for a licence to sell alcohol or provide regulated entertainment at any time (subject to the licensing objectives not being compromised).

An application will be granted automatically if there are no objections. However, if an application attracts relevant objections from Responsible Authorities or interested parties then a Licensing Panel made up of three Councillors may decide the application. For more information see The Licensing Panel Procedure.

Interested parties include a person involved in business (or living) in the vicinity of the premises in question, a body representing persons involved in such businesses and a body representing persons living in that vicinity. The Act does not define the meaning of "vicinity".

Interested parties who wish to make representations regarding an application for a premises licence or club premises certificate must do so within the 28 day consultation period. Letters should be sent to:

Head of Community Services, West Oxfordshire District Council, Elmfield, WITNEY, Oxfordshire OX28 1PB

They can also be emailed to the Licensing Team.

Information about licensing compliance and enforcement can be obtained from the Licensing Act 2003 Enforcement and Compliance page

Details of the application(s) can be inspected by appointment at the address above. Please phone (01993) 861636 if you wish to view an application.

More information on the Licensing Act, Guidance, and Regulations can be found on the following websites

If you have any views on the Licensing Act 2003 in West Oxfordshire please complete Comment on Liquor Licensing.