07 February 2012Three councils have joined forces to provide a shared licensing service for processing and issuing licensing applications.
The new 'Licensing Partnership', involving Sevenoaks District Council, Maidstone Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, will be officially launched at 1pm on Tuesday 19 January 2010 at Sevenoaks District Council's offices.
This partnership is one of the first of its kind and has a central administration team based in Sevenoaks, with licensing officers and administration support at the other two local authorities to help people with licensing applications and questions who visit their local Gateway.
Licensing applicants in the three council areas will apply to the Licensing Partnership for a licence and any licensing hearings will be heard locally by the Licensing Committee ensuring the sovereignty of the local council.
The joint licensing team will be responsible for issuing licences for sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, gambling premises and permits, street trading, and taxis, amongst others.
Cllr Elaine Bracken, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet member with responsibility for licensing, says: "This is a very exciting time and I am delighted that Sevenoaks District Council can be part of this innovative shared services partnership. The joint licensing administration team will demonstrate how councils can work closely together to deliver high-quality services to their communities whilst saving money for the tax payer."
Maidstone Council Cabinet Member, Cllr Richard Ash, adds: "The Government has been reducing various grants to councils and increasing the demands on them in recent years. On licensing we’ve responded by looking at innovative ways to deliver the service and now further improvements have been made by working more effectively with neighbouring councils. This Partnership with Sevenoaks District Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has enabled the Council to share our expertise, further improve services, provide a greater range of knowledge and advice as well as reducing the overall cost. This has improved the service to customers and value for money for local taxpayers."
Cllr Barrington-King, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Cabinet member with responsibility for licensing, says: "This licensing partnership builds on the current partnership which has been in place for over two years, and I am proud that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can be part of this innovative shared services partnership. The joint licensing administration team shows how councils can work closely together to deliver high-quality services whilst saving money for the tax payer."
