9 Conclusion
85. The Licensing Act 2003 gave the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport the opportunity to simplify the licensing
regime and reduce the regulatory burden on local authorities and
licensees alike. The Act also aimed to provide residents with
greater powers to object, and more involvement in the decision
making process.
86. It is clear that, at present, the many problems
encountered during the transition period are clouding the issue
of whether the Act will be successful in these aims. It is unfortunate
that so many errors have been made in the DCMS's planning during
this time. There has been considerable stress on all parties,
who were forced to deal with late regulations and guidance, inconsistent
advice, unclear and irregular information and inadequate support.
The ODPM failed local authorities: the department is there
to support the workings of local authorities. We see little evidence
that this was done during the transition period. Nor was action
taken when direct appeals were made.
87. We hope that the DCMS review of guidance, and
the Elton Review on fees will address many of the issues we have
brought to the Government's attention. We regard the establishment
of these reviews as a first step towards rectifying the problems
inherent in the current system. The reviews should however seek
to avoid imposing changes that will only cause further administrative
burden, confusion or bad-feeling.
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