SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL LATE NIGHT LEVY NOTICE

SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
LATE NIGHT LEVY NOTICE OF PROPOSALS
TO INTRODUCE A LATE NIGHT LEVY
IN THE CITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, Chapter 2 of Part 2 The Late Night Levy (Application and Administration) Regulations 2012 The Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012
Southampton City Council is proposing to introduce within the City a requirement that holders of premises licences or club premises certificates held under the Licensing Act 2003 that authorise the supply of alcohol at any time between 0001 and 0600 hours on one or more days in a year pay a late night levy.
The amount of the levy is set by the UK Government and will be an annual amount between £299 and £4,440 depending on the rateable value of the premises and the their actual use.
The Council proposes that the levy will be introduced on 1st February 2015. The Council proposes that the late night supply period will be 0001 to 0600 hours. Only premises which are authorised to supply alcohol during this time will be subject to the levy.
The Council proposes to exempt the following permitted categories of premises from paying the levy:
Premises providing overnight accommodation where alcohol can only be supplied to persons staying at the premises for consumption on the premises as defined in regulation 4(a) of the Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012 ("the Exemption Regulations");
Theatres, cinemas and bingo halls as defined in regulations 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) of the Exemption Regulations;
Registered Community Amateur Sports Clubs as defined in regulation 4(e) of the Exemption Regulations;
Certain Community Premises as defined in regulation 4(f) of the Exemption Regulations; and
Premises only authorised to supply alcohol between midnight and 6am on New Year's Day as defined in regulation 4(i) of the Exemption Regulations.
The Council proposes not to exempt Country Village Pubs and Premises within a Business Improvement District as defined in regulations 4(g) and 4(h) of the Exemption Regulations.
The Council does not propose to reduce the levy for premises subject to small business rates relief as defined in regulation 5(1)(b) of the Exemption Regulations.
The Council wishes to consult on developing a business led best practice scheme as defined in regulations 5(1)(a) and 5(4) of the Exemption Regulations. If an acceptable scheme is developed, the Council is in principle willing to consider permitting a 30% reduction in the levy for members of the scheme.
The Council proposes that 70% of the net amount of the levy payments will be paid to the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Council will apply the balance in accordance with regulations.
More information about the proposals is contained in a separate consultation document available on the Council's website at www.southampton.gov.uk/ business/licensing/alcohol-licences/lnl.aspx
or obtainable from the licensing office at the address below.
The Council would like your views on the proposal and will take them into account before it makes a final decision whether or not to introduce the levy and about its details (if it decides to introduce a levy). The consultation period runs from the date of this notice until 31st July 2014. There are a number of ways in which you can send us your views:-
Complete the questionnaire attached to the Consultation Document which is available on the Council's website and either e-mail it or print and send to us at the addresses below.
Write or email us at the address below
25th April 2014
Richard Ivory
Head of Legal and Democratic Services.
www.southampton.gov.uk/business/licensing/alcohol-licences/lnl.aspx
Post: Licensing - Southampton City council, PO Box 1767, Southampton. SO18 9LA
e-mail: licensing.policy@southampton.gov.uk