NTES

What are we consulting on?

The council introduced a late night levy in Liverpool in April 2017, so that holders of premises licences or club premises certificates that supply alcohol between 00:00 and 06:00 on one or more days in a year must pay a late night levy. This was introduced under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

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The amount of the levy is set by the government and is a yearly amount between £299 and £4,440 depending on the rateable value of the premises and their actual use. We are consulting on whether or not the late night levy should continue to be in place or if we should make various amendments to the levy.

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Background

When first introduced in 2017, the following premises categories were exempt from paying the levy:

• Premises only authorised to supply alcohol for consumption on the premises between 00:00 and 06:00 on New Year's Day as defined in Regulation 4 (i) of the Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012.

• A hereditament in respect of which:

  • (1) the ratepayer is liable for a Business Improvement District levy in accordance with section 46 of the Local Government Act 2003, and

  • (2) the Business Improvement District arrangements in relation to which a Business Improvement District levy is imposed are established for purposes which result in, or are likely to result in, the reduction or prevention of crime and disorder in connection with the supply of alcohol between midnight and 6am at premises in relation to which a relevant late night authorisation has effect.

The council decided that 70% of the net amount of levy payments would be paid to the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, and the council would apply the 30% balance in accordance with the relevant legislation.

Holders of relevant late night authorisations were able to make an application under sections 34, 41A, 84 or 86A of the Licensing Act 2003 to vary their authorisation, so that it would cease to be a relevant authorisation before 1st April 2017.

In November 2021, the council's Licensing and Gambling Committee decided to go out to consultation to seek views on whether or not the late night levy should continue or if various amendments be made to the levy.

Examples of possible amendments to the levy are;

• Reduce the late night supply period (currently the maximum period allowed of midnight to 06:00 hours.

• Add to or reduce the current categories of exemptions (currently the 'New Year's Day' and the 'Business Improvement District' exemptions

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About the consultation

Night Time Economy Solutions is managing the consultation to ensure a fair and just process. We will seek opinions from stakeholders, the trade, residents associations, charities, responsible authorities, local councillors and MPs on whether the levy should continue or, if amendments are to be made, what it should look like going forward.

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How to comment

It's important that all businesses, residents and visitors have an opportunity to comment on how effective the late night levy has been and there are a number of ways to have your say, depending on which stakeholder group you represent as follows:

• Agents or solicitors - Submit a written response via email.

• Community groups- Complete the online survey.

• Premises - Attend a focus group and/or complete the online survey or submit a written response via email.

• Emergency services-  Book a one-to-one phone call. 

• Pub Watch - Book a one-to-one phone call.

• Ethnic, Faith and Community Groups - Attend a focus group. and/or complete the online survey or submit a written response via email.

• Licensed Trade - Attend a group and/or complete the online survey or submit a written response via email.

• Mayor/Mayor's Office - Book a one-to-one phone call.

• Other organisations and identified individuals – Book a one-to-one phone call.

• MPs and MEPs - Book a one-to-one phone call and/or complete the online survey.

• Residents Associations - Attend a focus group and/or complete the online survey or submit a written response via email.

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Online

If you are a resident or in a particular stakeholder group listed above and instructed to send your responses by completing the online form. Complete the survey online.

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By email

If you are in a particular stakeholder group listed above and instructed to send your response by email, you can download the formal email response template and send completed templates to info@nighttimeeconomy.com

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When you open the template you will need to download the file. This can be found in the dropdown menu under 'file' in the top left hand corner of the screen.

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One-to-one phone call

If you are in a stakeholder group listed above and instructed to book a one-to-one phone call, you can book an appointment online to share your views over the phone with a representative from Night Time Economy Solutions Ltd.

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Focus groups

Focus group sessions will take place online. Choose the stakeholder group you represent to book your place:

• Monday 17th October, 10am-12pm: Ethnic, Faith and Community Groups

• Monday 17th October, 2pm-4pm: Residents Association

• Wednesday 26th October, 10am-12pm: Premises

• Wednesday 26th October, 2pm-4pm: Licenced Trade

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What happens to my views?

Your views will be collected, anonymised and used to make a recommendation to Liverpool City Council about what needs to happen to the Late Night Levy. Your feedback will be collated by Night Time Economy Solutions Ltd in line with our privacy notice for the purpose of this consultation. Please note, any personal data that could identify you will be removed or changed before files are shared with other researchers or the results of the consultation are made public.

• Read Night Time Economy Solutions Ltd privacy notice.

• Read the Licensing Service privacy notice.

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What happens next?

The results of this non-statutory consultation will help to inform the making of any formal proposal to cease or vary the levy with effect from 1st April 2023, which will then be subject to a further statutory consultation process prior to any final decision being made.

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