Pub boss joins licensing fee review panel

Punch Taverns director Francis Patton has been appointed to the independent panel reviewing the level of fees local authorities charge under the 2003 Licensing Act for England and Wales Act.

Chaired by Sir Leslie Elton, the former chief executive of Gateshead Council, the panel includes Brian Wilson, acting executive chair of the Commission for Rural Communities and Clive Allen, executive head of corporate services at Surrey-Heath Borough Council.

Duncan Bowdler, head of trade liaison at retailer Co-Operative Group and Paul Woods, city treasurer at Newcastle City Council, complete the list.

The panel will look at whether existing fee-ranges for premises and personal licences are high enough to cover licensing authorities' costs under the new system.

It is expected to produce interim recommendations in October and a full report on the current system by autumn 2006.

Hospitality trade representatives have previously voiced concern that fees may be increased significantly to appease the majority of councils which have complained they are set too low.

But licensing minister James Purnell maintained the panel was under no pressure to decide either way and would reach their own independent conclusion. "They may find the fees are too low, too high, or they may be just right," he said.

The 2003 Act comes into force 24 November, transferring responsibility for licensing from magistrate's courts to local authorities.

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