West End Policy calls for modification of Late Night Levy

A commission set up by Westminster City Council has called for a modification to the Late Night Levy together with central London authorities being given opt-outs from planning and licensing rules and access to funds raised from a proposed "tourism tax".

The report states "licensing policy for the West End should ensure a clear distinction between the evening and night-time economies, whilst the area should be able to exercise greater powers to regulate or ban particular issues."

The report goes on to call for the Government to "modify" the late-night levy to ensure it targets "problem" premises also recommending that "a levy which works on the basis that the "polluter pays" makes a great deal of sense.

Further, it "recommends that the Home Office work with ACPO and the MPS and also the LGA to redesign the levy so that it can be applied more accurately to ensure that those premises which cause the issue make the largest contribution." The report then goes on to provide four examples of how the above may be achieved:

• "It can be applied across a Special Policy Area
• Certain types of premises which are not alcohol-led can be exempted (e.g. restaurants, jazz bars, casinos)
• Base the levy on venue capacity and not just rateable value
• Allow the council to decide conditions which, if included in the licence, would allow a premises to pay a reduced levy rate"

To view the report and in particular pages 52-55 which consider licensing click here: 'West End Commission Final Report April 2013'.