Deadline Looms for Festive Permits

Organisers of Christmas events are urged to act now if they require a temporary event notice for the festive period.

The last day for submission for Christmas Eve is Wednesday the 9th December 2009 and for New Year's Eve it is Friday 11th December 2009.

If a festive event is before this, organisers are advised to serve notice in plenty of time as the minimum time scale is 10 clear working days before the event.

The Licensing Act 2003 allows individuals to carry out licensable activities on a temporary basis for a period not exceeding 96 hours. The event must also involve no more than 499 people at any one time.

Under licensing policy as much notice as possible should be given to a proposed event - 28 days should be allowed if possible - to avoid any last minute difficulties, which could lead to an event not proceeding.

As the Licensing Authority, the County Council cannot accept responsibility for incomplete forms or other failures, which could render the application invalid and therefore subject to a rejection.

How to apply
Organisers must give notice of the event to Pembrokeshire County Council and to Dyfed Powys Police. A fee of £21 is also payable. The notice must be given to Pembrokeshire County Council in duplicate and contain the following information: -

• The licensable activities that are to be carried out
• The total length of the event (not over 96 hours)
• The times during the event that the licensable activities are to be carried out
• The maximum number of people allowed on the premises at any one time (not over 499)
• Whether any alcohol sales are to be made for consumption on or off the premises (or both). All sales of alcohol must be made by, or under the authority, of the person giving the Notice.

The Pembrokeshire County Council notice should be given to the Senior Environmental Health Officer, Licensing Section, Public Protection Division, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

The copy to Dyfed Powys Police should be lodged at Pembroke Dock Police Station, Water Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DW and clearly marked for the attention of the Police Licensing Officer.

In all cases the person giving the notice must be over 18

For further information contact the Licensing Section, Public Protection Division, Pembrokeshire County Council, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP. Tel: 01437 764551. Officers cannot complete applications but are able to provide all reasonable advice.