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The LGA has published further guidance to Local Authorities setting out how they should be using the Environment Agency/Natural Resources Wales public registers to assess the suitability of the applicants for a scrap met

On the 7th of January the Department for Transport (DfT) sough views from a select few (7) organisations on a number of proposals to amend the law relating to taxi and private hire licensing.  

The 10 day consultation sought views on the following proposals:

A private members Bill, Licensed Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles (Closed Circuit Television) Bill, has been introduced by the MP for Bedford seeking to require the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) in all licensed Hackney Carriages and Private Hire vehicles and to establish a minimum standard for such installations.

Have you lost track of which forms of previously regulated entertainment is now deregulated and under which circumstances?  If so, you might find the DCMS’ Q&A on deregulated entertainment helpful. 

The Government has today published its response to the DCMS’ consultation earlier this year seeking views on proposals to exempt community film exhibitions.

In its response the Government stated:

The Home Office has issued an amended version of its “Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 Supplementary guidance” document.

Amendments have been made to paragraph 5.4. 

Paragraphs 5.4 & 5.5 of the October 2013 version states:

The transcript of Gurgur v London Borough of Enfield [2013] EWHC 3483 (Admin) is now available on Licensing Resource.

It is worth noting that the case is only helpful to a point mainly because the Mrs. Justice Patterson did not actually make a ruling on the point of which policy applies. 

Which licensing policy applies if a new policy is issued after the date when the application is made but before the date of the hearing by the Licensing Sub-Committee or the Magistrates’ Court on appeal?

Mrs. Justice Patterson, in the case of Gurgur v London Borough of Enfield (6.12.13), found that it is the policy at the date of hearing not determination.

Don’t forget that the following provisions of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 came into force on 1st December:

- Section 1(3) (offence of carrying on business as scrap metal dealer without a licence);

The London Borough of Redbridge has become the latest Council to pass a resolution urging the Government to change the law and help councils “stem the tide” of betting shops.  It called on the Government and the national regulat