Licensing

Barking and Dagenham

Licensing is much more than just application forms and policies, it affects us all. The Licensing Act 2003 plays an important role in the prevention of crime, disorder and public nuisance. It gives you the chance to have a say and be more involved in your community.

Licensing gives you the opportunity to have more freedom and choice about how you spend your leisure time, cracks down on unfair trading as well as safeguarding local businesses so they don't fall foul of the law. We are responsible for processing and issuing different types of licences for businesses, charities and community groups.

The range of licences we issue cover areas like animal establishments, car boot sales, entertainment, gambling, and alcohol. Although there are some licences that we do not deal with we have tried to provide as much information about them as possible by directing you to the correct governing body or agency.

Licences and Registrations

Apply for a licence or register a particular activity|

You will find all available licences, guidance and links to further information. This includes licences we process as well as those we do not.

Licences are grouped together according to types along with a brief description of each type. This includes a section for the Licensing Act 2003.

Policies

Policies govern all licence and registration applications|

When we consider an application we must take into consideration Council polices, government regulations and the effect the granting of a licence may have on the local community.

Licensing and Regulatory Board

The Licensing and Regulatory Board hear licensing applications under the Licensing Act 2003|

The Board hears applications when valid representations have been received. They also hear licence review applications for premises licences and club premises certificates.

It is made up of 10 councillors and meets about every 2 weeks, usually at the Civic Centre in Dagenham commencing normally at 6pm.

In May each year, a councillor is elected to be the Chair of the Board. Their role is to lead the meeting and make decisions on matters that come before them.

Representation Process

Near by living residents are given the opportunity to comment on applications. Customers who would like to make an official representation against the application must do so in writing. The representation must be received by the Council within 21 days of the date of the application. For representatives comments to be taken into account they need to be specific to the premises, if possible to have examples of the issues they are raising and relate to the licensing objectives laid down in the Act. The objectives are:

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

The Council is not permitted to take general comments into account in making a decision about licensing. For this reason if your representations consist of general rather than specific comments it will be disregarded.

Please note that the law requires that if you make relevant representations they will be passed on to the applicant who may wish to contact you. If you feel uncomfortable about this it is possible to approach others, for example the Police, and ask them to make representation on your behalf.

Public Registers

Public Registers, for Licensing Act 2003|

We have to keep a Public Register that holds information on licences and certificates for some of the types we issue.

We have divided the register into headings so you can check on particular types of applications easily. Each application heading has a brief explanation of its use.

Occasional Sales|

This include all applications made under the London Local Authorities Act 1996 (Part III).

Scrap Metal Registration|

This includes premises that are registered by the local authority as Scrap Metal Dealers under the 1964 Scrap Metal Dealers Act.

Sex Establishments|

This includes premises that have applied for licences under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

Special Treatments|

This include all applications made under the London Local Authorities Act 1991.