COUNCIL bosses have spelt out their new role in licensing hundreds of premises across York - from pubs to late-night takeaways.

Responsibility for licensing will be passed from magistrates to City of York Council next year, under changes introduced in the 2003 Licensing Act.

Now the authority is set to go out to consultation on how it intends applying its new duties.

Licensing head Dick Haswell said the new system, which comes into operation next year, meant there would be a single integrated scheme for licensing all premises providing entertainment, selling alcohol and providing late-night refreshment

Major changes from the existing system included an end to the standard pub closing time, and the need for late-night takeaways to apply for a licence for the first time.

Takeaways wanting to sell hot food after 11pm would need a licence, and any objections, for example because of concerns about noise or odour, would be taken into consideration.

But other organisations needing licences would also include church halls, theatres and cinemas, clubs and restaurants selling alcohol.

"We are expecting about 900 applications," he said.

Applications which did not receive objections would be dealt with by officers, while those meeting with objections would be considered by a sub-committee of the licensing and regulatory committee.

The draft statement of licensing policy is going to the committee's meeting on September 3, with organisations likely to be consulted including police, fire and ambulance services, door supervisors, Safer York Partnership and York Health Trust Accident and Emergency Department.

The statement says that the modernisation of licensing provides an opportunity to improve the quality of life for local residents, through reductions in alcohol-related crime and disorder, and could also encourage more family-friendly premises where younger children could be free to go with the family.

Disability discrimination legislation banning premises from treating disabled people less favourably than other people will be taken into account when considering licensing applications.

All pubs, nightclubs and late-night takeaways would be expected to take part in early warning or pubwatch schemes.

All premises serving alcohol will be expected to use strengthened or tempered glasses, to prevent them being used in violent incidents.

Updated: 10:59 Thursday, August 26, 2004