Department for Culture Media and Sport

fees review

The Licensing Act 2003 Fees Regulations were introduced in February 2005.

An Independent Fees Review Panel then reviewed the licensing fees to make sure they are at the right level for businesses, community groups and local authorities.

The Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel's Final Report was published on 25 January 2007.

How the report was produced

The Independent Fees Review Panel:

  • Considered whether the fees cover the full cost to licensing authorities.
  • Identified the scale, extent and nature of any problems encountered by licensees/licence payers and licensing authorities.
  • Made recommendations for developing the existing fee structure and levels.
  • Collected knowledge and experience to share best practice across all authorities.

Research

To compile the report the review panel issued Licensing Authority Data Capture Forms PDF (194kb) to licensing authorities.

Panel members

Sir Leslie Elton, former chief executive of Gateshead Council, honoured for his services to local government, chaired the Independent Panel. The panel members were stakeholders representing the interests of trade and leisure industries, rural community groups and local authorities.

Panel Meetings

The panel met a further 12 times in 2006 to consider all the evidence they have received. On 7 December 2006 the full panel signed off their final report.