Clause 13 - Licensing at local authority level
Private Security Industry Bill [Lords]
11:30 am
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 29, in page 10, line 38, after `Authority', insert—
`and the local authorities for the areas specified in the order'.
The amendment would require local authorities to be consulted, which is a matter about which we feel strongly. It has relevance to a local authority in my constituency, the leader and chief executive of which were amazed when they consulted the Home Office about an effective scheme for nightclub bouncers about 18 months ago, and the Home Office, instead of helping to answer some of the various queries, wrote back saying that they were not entitled to have such a scheme. That was a peculiar response, but I do not hold the Minister personally responsible for that.
A new system is being set up, and I am sure that the Minister and the Committee will agree that it is important for local authorities to liaise closely with the new authority. It would be useful to write into the Bill a requirement for close liaison and prior consultation.