Sir Leslie Elton, the former chief executive of Gateshead Council, has been appointed chairman of the independent panel charged with reviewing the licensing act fees.

Representatives from the trade and leisure industries, community groups and local authorities are included on the panel, which will check the fees are fair.

The panel will consider whether the fees cover the full cost to licensing authorities in England and Wales; identify the scale, extent and nature of any problems; make recommendations on how the existing fee structure should be developed and ensure best practice.

Licensing minster James Purnell reiterated Government assurances that fees would be adjusted if they proved to be set too high.

Purnell said of Elton’s appointment: “He’s been at the frontline, and knows we need a fee structure that delivers for local authorities, the leisure industry and the public.”

It is anticipated the panel will issue an interim review in October, with a final report in autumn 2006.

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