Alarmingly the DCMS consultation is not proposing the deregulation of small-scale events but those with audiences of up to 5,000.
Councillor Nick Paget-Brown, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
"Far from being meddlesome, pointless bureaucracy, entertainment licences are actually how we ensure that noise is controlled, that events close down at a reasonable time and that landlords generally act responsibly.
"It's no secret that councils and constabularies are hard pressed right now and indeed for the foreseeable future. We for one simply do not have the resources to cope with a serious rise in complaints and urge the DCMS to rethink its proposals."
In Kensington and Chelsea there are currently 878 venues which, under the DCMS proposals, would be able to lay on unregulated events. The Council is worried that not only would this result in a sharp increase in noise and nuisance for Royal Borough residents, but a spike in associated antisocial behaviour.
Another implication for the Royal Borough is that it hosts one of Europe's largest events, the Notting Hill Carnival. In the interests of public safety it is essential that the Council and the Metropolitan Police bring Carnival to a close at a reasonable hour. With complete deregulation any premises within the Carnival area could legally provide live and recorded music 24 hours a day over the Carnival period, as long as any alcohol sales they make are within their permitted hours and their audiences are not more than 5,000.
Councillor Nick Paget-Brown, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
"Far from being meddlesome, pointless bureaucracy, entertainment licences are actually how we ensure that noise is controlled, that events close down at a reasonable time and that landlords generally act responsibly.
"It's no secret that councils and constabularies are hard pressed right now and indeed for the foreseeable future. We for one simply do not have the resources to cope with a serious rise in complaints and urge the DCMS to rethink its proposals.
"In addition to our formal response to the consultation, I have written to the Secretary of State at the DCMS to express the Council's grave concern about the adverse impact this proposal will have on densely populated inner-city residential areas like Kensington and Chelsea."
You can have your say on the consultation by visiting link "Consultation on proposal to examine the deregulation of Schedule One of the Licensing Act 2003".
Interesting that some so-called "red tape" actually serves a valuable purpose. Often deregulating sounds good in the abstract, but the regulations are there for good reasons.
ReplyDeleteAs a central London borough, RBKC must host more than its share of these events. The government's efforts to deregulate could leave us without an ability to manage noise and nuisance in our borough.
Ladybird agrees with NPB.
Nick Paget Brown needs to be vigorous on this issue. Most of all he needs to be certain (in the words of Cllr Ahern) that he is "resident friendly" in his efforts to control nuisance. Landlords do not give a fig about residents - they just want profits.
ReplyDeleteAnd many pubs in K&C are in built up residential areas.Which is hard for house owners who need to try and sleep at night
K&C has not banned street drinking like Hammersmith and Westminster. So all the louts come to us to make a nuisance.
Residents have given up complaining to the Council and the police - they all shuffle and say that their hands are tied.
So Nick - a chance for you to show residents that you care
It would be nice to have a response from you on this blog...
Don't hold your breath 9.29. Paget-Brown has no intention of going public or showing any interest in residents and their problems
ReplyDeleteHe is playing the Hornton Street game of Press Releases. More releases equals more Brownie points from Pooter which equals more chance of keeping his £50k plus SRA.
Important for Nick
Funny how councillors run for cover and/or hide under their stones when invited to debate something which they say they think important.
ReplyDeleteNick, you failed a basic "democracy test"
Sad