All applications for new licences or club certificates, or to vary or review existing licences or certificates, are subject to public consultation, and any person is entitled to make a representation in respect of the application whether or not they live in the vicinity of the premises. Representations may also be made by any responsible authority, such as the police, fire service, environmental health or trading standards.
Public notices, printed on blue paper at least A4 in size, will be displayed at or near any premises which is the subject of a licence application, and will briefly set out the details of the application. Details will also be published in a local newspaper, and shown on our current applications page.
In order to be considered as relevant, and taken into account when the application is determined, representations must:
- be made in writing (either as a letter or an email),
- include your name and address,
- set out how the application will affect one or more of the licensing objectives (preventing crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance, protection of children from harm),
- be specifically related to the premises in question and the activities they have applied to carry on (any irrelevant matters may have to be disregarded),
- be received within the statutory time period.
For most applications, representations must be received by the licensing authority within 28 days of the day on which the application was made. Certain application types have shorter time frames – in all cases, the last date for making a representation will be listed on our current applications page.
Representations should be sent:
- by email to licensing@dacorum.gov.uk or
- by post to Licensing, Dacorum Borough Council, The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 1DN
Wherever possible, your representation should be backed up by suitable evidence of any issues you are experiencing – for example, diary sheets, photographs, video clips, or details of calls you have made to appropriate regulatory bodies. If there is no evidence to support your representations, the Licensing of Alcohol and Gambling Sub-Committee will, when considering the application and representations received, have to attach less weight to your assertions than if they can be fully substantiated.
Hearings
If we receive one or more relevant representations in respect of an application, it will be referred to be considered by our Licensing of Alcohol and Gambling Sub-Committee at a public hearing. The applicant and all other persons who have made relevant representations will be invited to attend the hearing and address the Sub-Committee, and further advice will be sent out with the invitations. Invited speakers may choose to address the Sub-Committee themselves, or to nominate a proxy speaker (for instance, a ward councillor). Where a number of people have made similar representations, it may be worthwhile nominating a single spokesman to address the Sub-Committee.
After hearing from all parties, the Committee will make its decision in respect of the application, and may grant it, add extra conditions or restrictions, or refuse the application. All parties will have a right of appeal against the decision.