The main principles of this policy are as follows:
- to reduce crime and disorder
- to encourage tourism
- to reduce alcohol misuse
- to encourage self-sufficient rural communities
- to protect children from harm
- public safety
- the prevention of public nuisance
There are many stakeholders in the leisure industry, covering a wide range of disciplines. Many are involved, directly or indirectly, in the promotion of the licensing objectives, particularly those relating to the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance.
Although not directly related, many strategies deal in part with the licensing function, and the Council will ensure proper liaison with other groups for the integration of local crime prevention, planning, transport, tourism, race equality and cultural strategies.
The Council acknowledges and will take account of the principles of the Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England and the revised Alcohol Strategy published in June 2007 entitled Safe, Sensible, Social : the Next Steps in the Alcohol Strategy, in setting its policy for licensing matters and in consideration of individual licence applications.
Due regard will also be given to the East Sussex Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy 2009 2012. The Council also acknowledges its responsibilities in respect of Equal Opportunities and Human Rights legislation.
The Council recognises that there should be a clear separation of the planning and licensing regimes and that a licence application should not be a re-run of a planning application, to avoid duplication and inefficiency. It may be appropriate for the planning process to be informed, from time to time, on the situation regarding licensed premises in the District.
Because of the special rural nature of much of the Wealden District, the Council will take careful account of the circumstances of each application and will particularly consider the community benefits that might arise, where these are not outweighed by any adverse impact. Particular assistance will be given to village halls and similar community premises in relation to the disapplication of certain mandatory conditions to such premises.
The Council recognises the need to avoid so far as possible duplication with other regulatory regimes. However, some regulations do not cover the unique circumstances of certain entertainments and, in appropriate circumstances, the Council will attach Conditions to premises licences and club premises certificates where these are necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives and are not already provided for in any other legislation. Any such conditions imposed may be tailored to the individual premises and the type of activities expected to take place there.
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