Hackney proposal to re-consult on licensing in 2016
Hackney Council has announced a proposal to re-adopt its current licensing policy, which is set to expire in January 2016, and to re-consult on a updated draft policy to be adopted later next year.
The Council has been consulting on a new licensing policy since May, with the consultation due to close this Friday, August 14th. However, following the discovery of a minor error in the published consultation document, it is now proposed to re-adopt the current policy for 2016, giving time for a new consultation next year, and opportunity for further engagement with residents and businesses. The Council also plans to launch a high-profile public debate on the borough’s night time economy.
A formal decision will be taken on this recommendation, first by Licensing Committee and then by Full Council in the autumn.
Unfortunately there was a minor error in the published consultation document. Although this was not related to the part of the consultation affecting nightclub opening hours, which is what we know has caused the most concern, we want to ensure that everyone who takes the time to respond to any council consultation can have confidence that they did so with the full facts.
We needed to decide whether to correct the mistake and extend the current consultation, or take the opportunity to take a step back and re-consult on a new draft policy that we hope both residents and businesses will be able to support.
Hackney’s creative and night time economy is famous worldwide and brings valuable investment and employment into the borough, but first and foremost Hackney is a place for people to live. Balancing the needs of the night time economy with the rights of our residents to live in a peaceful and safe environment is one of the biggest challenges facing our borough.
We want to reach a resolution that does just this, so we’re going to be asking residents and businesses to join in an open discussion on where we go from here. We have already met with residents and business groups, but it’s clear we need to listen further to all voices and opinions, and we plan to host a debate on this later in the autumn.
We hope that residents, visitors and businesses will join us to help shape a licensing policy for Hackney, which everyone can understand and get behind.
Notes to editors:
1. The error was made in the production process, and related to the table of proposed core hours. The error related to the proposed core hours of music/dance venues, theatres and cinemas, takeaways/fast-food premises, other indoor entertainment venues and qualifying clubs.
2. Responses received to the current consultation will be analysed and used to help shape the policy for consultation next year.