Contribution by Anne Shaw

Comment by: Anne Shaw

Focus area: Volunteer events

Regulator concerned: Environmental Heath (Local Authority)

Comment:
I represent the local fund raising volunteer group of Cancer Research UK. Periodically we hold events such as Quiz Evenings or suppers requiring a temporary drinks license for the sale of alcohol, from the Licensing Enforcement/Administration Officer at South Bucks District Council. The form is available on line. It is 6 pages long accompanied by 6 pages of notes all of which have to be printed in triplicate (at my expense, each time a license is required). One copy goes to the Licensing Team, one copy to the Environmental Health, (in separate envelopes to the same address), and one copy to Thames Valley Police. (total of 36 sheets of paper and ink ,plus envelopes and postage, at my expense). The charity is then charged a fee of £21 to cover admin costs, payable from funds which our group of volunteers work hard to raise for charity. Madness! One online form with no fee attached would surely be the simple answer.