Licensing Act 2003

Removal of requirement for a designated premises supervisor (DPS) - community premises only

As of the 29 July 2009 new legislation has been introduced to be included in the Licensing Act 2003. This involves village halls and community premises such as church halls, chapels (and parts thereof).

Community premises can now apply to have the standard mandatory conditions under section 19 of the Licensing Act 2003 removed from their premises licence. The section 19 conditions require all premises licensed for the sale of alcohol to have a DPS and for all sales of alcohol to be made or authorised by a person who holds a personal licence. This change will enable community premises to operate without a DPS and for sales of alcohol to be made on such premises without the authorisation of a personal licence holder.

Only the management committee of the premises can apply under this procedure. The application form requires the applicants to provide the names of the management committee's key officers. The licensing authority must be satisfied that arrangements for the management of the premises by the committee or board are sufficient to ensure the adequate supervision of the supply of alcohol on the premises.

New applications for a premises licence (community premises)

For those community premises wishing to apply for authorisation for the sale of alcohol for the first time, they should include the form for removal for the requirement for a DPS and personal licence with the new premises licence application or variation application. No fee is required beyond the fee for the new application or variation, both of which are based on rateable value.

Community premises with existing premises licence to sell alcohol

Existing premises are not exempt from the requirements of mandatory conditions regarding DPS’s and personal licences. Where a community premises already has a premises licence to sell alcohol, but wishes to benefit from the relaxation in the requirements regarding DPS, the management committee should apply to include the alternative licence condition in place of the usual mandatory condition by submitting the prescribed form together with the prescribed fee of £23.

Guidance and application form

Guidance on the removal of the requirement for a DPS and Personal Licence at Community Premises Word (word 140 kB) pdf (pdf 28 kB)

Application form Word (word 122 kB) pdf (pdf 66 kB)

Online application



EUGO Portal

Application timescale

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 5 working days. We will endeavour to complete your application and update our records accordingly within 28 consecutive days. In the unlikely event you have not heard from us at the end of this period, your application is deemed complete.

Contact details

Applications should be sent to:

The Licensing Team
Environmental Health and Housing
North Devon Council
Civic Centre
North Walk
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EA

Applications can be handed to the Customer Service Centre or at the Ilfracombe Centre and the Amory Centre, South Molton.

In case of query, please telephone the Customer Service Centre on 01271 388870 and ask for the Licensing Team.

Email: licensing@northdevon.gov.uk

Public register

Current applications for the removal of a DPS for community premises and those previously completed can be viewed on the Premises Licence Public Register, listed together with other 'events' held against a given premises.

Complaints

If you feel we have failed to provide you with good service or are concerned about the progress of your application, please telephone the Customer Service Centre. The Licensing team will endeavour to resolve any concerns you may have.

The council also has a formal complaints procedure.

Contact information

To contact the Customer Service Centre:

Telephone: 01271 388870
For Typetalk: precede with 18001
Text: 07624 804042
Fax: 01271 388451
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Web form: send us a web enquiry
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