If it moves, or even if it doesn't, licence it!

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee is recommending that musicians should be allowed to play in pubs without landlords having to apply for licences. They are concerned that the time and money costs imposed on landlords will mean that a generation of musicians could be deterred. They are suggesting that venues with less than 200 people should be exempt from needing a licence.

Musicians are not the only sufferers. Any form of public entertainment, drama, music, etc., must be certified and licensed by the relevant local authority, which means that churches, social and youth groups of various kinds, as well as village halls, must undergo inspection and certification. Some which rely on events to raise money will find their costs have increased.

The local authority licensing section will apologise at the burden placed on these small organisations in the name of public safety. (Why does not insurance cover the case?) Surprisingly, there are two sorts of licences - a one-off one costing about £20, and a permanent one which is free (but requires all sorts of compliance costs to become in the end more expensive.)

It is doubtful if the local authority covers its own costs, so it is a burden on taxpayers as well. It might be worthwhile if it achieved something, but as it is musicians honing their skills before a few people in a pub and churches raising a small amount of money to repair their fabric, etc., in the end I think that we all lose.

Let common sense prevail!