Council highlights changes to Public Entertainment licences
17th September 2016
The Highland Licensing Committee has agreed changes to the activities which are required to have a public entertainment licence so the Highland Council is advising community groups, members of the public, event organisers, charities and businesses to make sure they are aware of the different requirements so not to face the disappointment of having their event or activity cancelled.
In particular organisers of public Hogmanay events are being asked to check if their event now falls within the revised definition and, if so, they are being encouraged to submit their applications early.
The changes agreed by the Committee are:
Any outdoor concert or musical performances, where there is no admission fee or charge, which has a capacity of over 250 and where amplified music, or use of a public address system, is the principle activity of the event will require to be licensed;
Premises used for exhibitions, lectures and illustrated talks which take place indoors will no longer require a licence. Only events which take place outdoors or which involve the use of a temporary structure and where there is an admission fee or charge to the public will require a licence;
There is now a requirement to hold a licence for public fireworks displays, laser displays and war games where there is no admission fee or charge. Previously a licence was only required where there was a charge to view or take part in these activities;
Premises used for trampolines and bungee trampolines, where there is an admission fee or charge to the public, now require to be licensed;
Premises used for entertainment/variety shows, where there is an admission fee or charge to the public, now require to be licensed;
Premises used for raves will require to be licensed;
Premises used for the performance of plays where there is a charge to the public will require to be licensed. This activity will only be licensed under the public entertainment category once the provisions in the Theatres Act 1968 governing the licensing of premises used for the performance of plays are repealed, and corresponding changes to the 1982 Act are brought into effect to allow the use of premises for the performance of plays to be included as an activity which requires a public entertainment licence.
All changes will take effect from 1 January 2017 and the Council can now consider applications for licences for any of the new activities.
Applications can be made online by visiting www.highland.gov.uk or forms are also available from appropriate Council Offices and all Service Points. People can also telephone (01349) 886609 to get information about the changes and how they might be affected.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Yesterday, Thursday 16 May, representatives from the tourism sector in the Highlands gathered in Inverness to take part in a Sustainable Tourism Strategy Workshop hosted by The Highland Council. The meeting, which was well attended with representatives from across Highland and different interests, follows the launch of the Council's public consultation on its Draft Sustainable Tourism Strategy.
First Minister John Swinney has confirmed the opening of a £1.5 million fund to support councils in removing the impact of school meal debt from families across the country. Mr Swinney said this commitment will help ensure no child is penalised for struggling to pay for school meals as a result of the cost of living crisis.
Todays Audit Scotland report Local government budgets 2024/25 reveals how dire council budgets are. This makes many more cuts in services likely in coming years.
At the Highland Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee. (Thursday 2 May 2024) Members had the opportunity to review the work the Council is doing to progress active travel and improve road safety before approving the next steps.
At the meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee members had the opportunity to review the last two years of the Community Regeneration Funding Programme before agreeing changes to how the 2024/25 programme will be delivered. Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful two years, it is a good time to review what has gone well and what can be done better so we can continue to build on success, and seamlessly move the focus onto how best to support the delivery of projects." "With 279 live projects and over £6million of committed funds still to be claimed, there is no doubt as to the value and impact of the programme's potential.
The Highland Council's In-House bus service pilot project was launched in January 2023. The success of its first year of operation in delivering savings and creating a valued and reliable service was highlighted at today’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee.
Members of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (2 May 2024) approved the local authority's draft Ecology Strategy and Action Plan which will now move forward to an 12-week public consultation. The Ecology Strategy sets out an ambitious set of actions to tackle biodiversity loss and address the ecological emergency.
Economy and Infrastructure Committee members today (2 May 2024) agreed to direct £100K from the Council's share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to fund a new staff training programme at the Inverness Castle Experience. The funding will enable the project team to provide specialist visitor attraction training to young people identified through partners at Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
The Housing and Property Committee met on Wednesday 1 May 2024 and noted the Housing Service performance report 2023/24 that met the agreed priorities and associated initiatives in the Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028. The report highlighted a number of achievements in 2023/24 in increasing housing supply.
Kate Lackie, Malcolm MacLeod and Allan Gunn have been appointed as Assistant Chief Executives with The Highland Council. Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: "I am delighted to say that Kate Lackie, Malcolm MacLeod and Allan Gunn have been appointed as Assistant Chief Executives with The Highland Council.