The Council has a duty to licence, consent or register a wide range of business activities, particularly those where there are issues relating to public safety.

Applications can involve the Council having to consult with a wide range of organisations to applying for a licence can sometimes appear to confusing and bureaucratic.  To minimise the burden the Council seeks to work in partnership with business to ensure that this process is as simple as possible and that it is completed with the minimum of delay.

What sort of activities or businesses may need to be licensed?

• Animal boarding and breeding establishments.
• Asbestos removal
• Dangerous wild animals
• Caravan sites
• Charity and fund raising collections
• Cinemas and other film exhibitors
• Entertainment venues, (including night-clubs, live entertainment and open air music events)
• Food premises
• Gaming machines
• Industrial processes (including incinerators, metal and plastic coating, concrete plants)
• Late night refreshment houses
• Pet shops
• Riding schools/establishments
• Scrap metal dealing
• Skin piercers (including ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncturists, electrolysis)
• Street trading
• Sunday Trading
• Taxis and private hire vehicles
• Theatres
• Zoos

How do I find out whether I need a licence?

Check with the council by ringing either:

Entertainment - 01483 444110;

Street Collection - 01483 444110;

Taxi and Private Hire Car - 01483 445097;

Environmental Health - 01483 444371 /  444374 / 444378

How should I apply?

Before submitting an application it is advisable to discuss the details with the officer who will deal with it.  This helps to prevent you carrying out unnecessary work and avoids problems and delays that could otherwise arise.

In most cases applications must be in writing and on a legally prescribed form which is supplied by the Council.  Contact the Council and the appropriate application form will be sent to you for completion and return together with a checklist and details of any fees, reports or photographs required. 

When should I apply?

Applications should be made:

• When you are clear about what you intend to do and have any necessary plans.
• In plenty of time before you start the operation/business in order to allow the application to be considered
• When you have obtained any necessary planning consents

 Make sure that:

• All relevant parts of the application are completed
• The details given are correct
• The application is signed by the correct person
• Any photographs, certificates, reports or submissions are enclosed
• The correct payment is enclosed

 How is the licence determined?

Stage 1

Collection of information relevant to the application

Once you application is received, in most cases the Council will need to arrange for an inspection of the premises or vehicle involved by a specialist officer.  In many cases there is also a requirement for further consultation with one or more other organisations of statutory bodies such as the Fire Brigade, Police, Highway Authority and Councillors.

The time taken to collect this information varies considerably depending on the type of licence and can take from a few days three months.

Stage 2

Consideration

Many licences can be issued once stage one is completed satisfactorily.

Certain licence applications have to be considered by Council Committee and then approved by the Council.

What happens then?

Once a licence has been approved by the Council we aim to issue this to you together with any conditions that may be attached within 10 working days.

If a licence is reused we aim to advise you of the decision within 10 working days giving an indication of why the licence was refused.

If a licence application is refused and you are dissatisfied with the Council’s decision there is a right of appeal in respect of certain licences.  Details of the appeal procedure for each licence type are set out in the relevant legislation we will forward a summary of these to you on request.