Client: Bedford Borough Council

Project: licensing Policy Rewrite 2023-27

What were MAKE asked to do?

Bedford Borough Council wanted to revise its Statement of Licensing Policy to ensure it was up to date. This meant referencing the latest changes in legislation, best practice in managing the night-time economy, referencing the ‘agent of change’ principle, summarising the borough’s cumulative impact assessment and incorporating the changes the Government made to the S.182 Guidance in December 2022.

How did MAKE do it?

  • We reviewed all the relevant legal changes since the last policy. We updated (or included for the first time) the council and partners’ approach to issues like counter terrorism, festivals and large events, drink and drug spiking, managing the night-time economy, violence against women and girls, immigration and post-Brexit requirements for licence applicants

  • We spent considerable time engaging with the ‘responsible authorities’ and councillors, explaining the Licensing Act 2003, the S182 Guidance, the salient recent changes, and the limits of licensing policy more generally

  • We worked, as best as the legislation allows, to join up how planning and licensing work together on approvals and enforcement in the licensed economy of the borough

  • We halved the length of the policy, made it easier to read, and included a dedicated section on how to apply for a licence. We moved less important and updateable information to a separate appendix

  • We also managed the consultation process and engagement with stakeholders in shaping the draft Statement of Licensing Policy.

What happened next?

The council’s licensing committee approved the new policy for consultation.

What unique value did MAKE bring to this project?

We developed a ‘licensing vision’ to place front and centre in the policy, setting out the kind of licensed economy the borough wanted to see, i.e., more family-friendly, cultural, and food-based activities where alcohol is ancillary rather than the main attraction (whilst still ensuring each licence application is considered on its own merits.) We were able to do this because we have a strong understanding of Bedford having worked on three previous licensing polices and cumulative impact assessments for the borough.