35  Operational Considerations

35.1  Crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour threaten public safety and affect perceptions of public safety.  The Licensing Authority must try to ensure the safety of people visiting and working in licensed premises.  The Licensing Authority will need to satisfy itself that measures to protect the public including setting safe capacities, adequate means of escape, and the provision of fire fighting equipment and CCTV etc. are put in place and maintained if this is not adequately provided for by other regulatory regimes.

35.2  Licensed premises present a mixture of Health and Safety risks, some of which are common to many premises, and others unique to single premises. It is essential that premises are constructed, or adapted, so as to safeguard occupants against such risks.

35.3  The Licensing Authority may not impose conditions on or refuse to grant/vary a Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate unless it has received a relevant representation in respect of the application.

35.4  If no relevant representations are received, the application must be granted on the terms sought i.e. on terms that are consistent with the operating schedule submitted and no additional conditions can be imposed.

35.5  Conditions may only be imposed on licences and certificates where they are necessary for the promotion of one or more of the four licensing objectives. Conditions may not be imposed on licences and certificates for other purposes.

35.6  Where relevant representations are made in relation to imposing a maximum number of persons resorting to premises at any one time for example, to ensure the safety of persons in the premises, and safe escape in the case of an emergency, the Licensing Authority will consider the imposition of occupancy limits by way of condition where it is considered necessary in relation to the promotion of one or more of the licensing objectives.

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