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Councils create cost-effective, shared services licensing partnership
source: http://www.publictechnology.net/modules ... &sid=22356


Three councils have joined forces to provide a shared licensing service for processing and issuing licensing applications.


The new 'Licensing Partnership', involving Sevenoaks District Council, Maidstone Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

It will be launched officially on Tuesday 19 January and said to be one of the first of its kind.

The joint licensing team will be responsible for issuing licences for sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, gambling premises and permits, street trading, and taxis, amongst others.

Cllr Barrington-King, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Cabinet member with responsibility for licensing, says: "The joint licensing administration team shows how councils can work closely together to deliver high-quality services whilst saving money for the tax payer."

The central administration team will be based in Sevenoaks, with licensing officers and administration support at the other two local authorities.

Maidstone Council Cabinet Member, Cllr Richard Ash, said:"The Government has been reducing various grants to councils and increasing the demands on them in recent years.

On licensing we’ve responded by looking at innovative ways to deliver the service and now further improvements have been made by working more effectively with neighbouring councils.

This partnership [means] we share our expertise, further improve services, provide a greater range of knowledge and advice as well as reducing the overall cost. This has improved the service to customers and value for money for local taxpayers."

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