Statement of licensing policy
Statement of licensing policy
It is a requirement of the Licensing Act 2003 for every Licensing Authority to produce a Statement of Licensing Policy which explains how the Licensing Authority will exercise its licensing functions under the Act.
Details
We reviewed our Statement of Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impact Assessment in Bath City Centre in 2019.
Revised versions were agreed at a meeting of the Full Council on 14 November 2019.
Cumulative Impact Assessment
In 2007 we published a Cumulative Impact Policy as part of the Statement of Licensing Policy.
In 2018 Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIAs) were introduced and details of a CIA published by us.
The aim of the CIA is to limit the number or types of licence authorising the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises (“off sales” is not included). The CIA is engaged where there is evidence to show that the number or density of licensed premises in a specified area is having a cumulative impact and leading to problems which are undermining the licensing objectives.
The CIA creates a ‘rebuttable presumption’ whereby the onus falls upon the applicant to demonstrate that granting an application would not have an impact on one or more of the four Licensing Objectives when objections to an application are received.
The publication of the Cumulative Impact Policy and subsequently CIA included a map outlining the Cumulative Impact area.
In 2019 the CIA was reviewed and the police provided evidence for maintaining the CIA. The CIA remained but with a reduction in the CIA area as shown on a revised map.
Our CIA lapsed in 2022. However, interested parties may still raise objections citing cumulative impact concerns, provided such objections are supported with relevant evidence.
We intend to refresh the evidence in 2024 and establish whether a CIA is still necessary.
Respond to our consultation on the revision of our Statement of Licensing Policy.
Documents
Last updated 29 May 2025