Dartford Borough Council is the Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 and is responsible for granting premises licences, club premises certificates, temporary events notices and personal licences in the Borough in respect of the sale and/or supply of alcohol.

Licensing Policy:

The 2003 Act requires that the Licensing Authority publish a 'Statement of Licensing Policy' that sets out the policies they will generally apply to promote the licensing objectives when making decisions on applications made under the Act.

Licensing Code of Good Conduct:

The aim of this code is to provide applicants and licensees with guidance on good practice for the promotion of the four licensing objectives which are paramount considerations at all times. The code is consistent with the Home Office guidance issued under section 182 of the Act and with Dartford Borough Councils statement of licensing policy.

Applicants and licensees are expected to make a proactive commitment to preventing problems from occurring at licensed premises through the adoption of this code.

Please email licensing@dartford.gov.uk with your comments.

Subsequently, all licenses for pubs, clubs, off-licences, late night takeaways and registered clubs, are administered by the Council.

The Licensing Act 2003 - HMSO - www.legislation.gov.uk

Guidance to the Licensing Act can be found at - http://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing

You can see details of the full range of licences applications, many of which can be completed online, at the Government Licence Finder Website.

Personal Licence Renewals:

Government have rescinded the requirement to renew Personal Licences as of April 2015 and therefore they now remain in force indefinitely unless revoked or suspended. Dartford Borough Council will continue to administer your licence including any change of address or personal details. Should you wish to have an updated photo-card with the expiry date removed (this is not compulsory), you will need to provide an up to date passport photograph and the prescribed fee of £10.50.

Scrap Metal:

Any persons collecting, buying or selling scrap will require a Scrap Metal Dealer Licence from Dartford Borough Council.

There are two types of licence:

  • A site licence (allows you to operate a site and collect scrap relevant to that site)
  • A collector's licence (allows you to collect scrap within the authority area the licence is issued)

An application needs to be made for your licence and a fee will be payable to us. You will also need to complete our basic criminal record disclosure form as part of the application process. Before applying please read the Scrap Metal Guidance

Any persons who carry out business as a scrap metal dealer without a licence may be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of £5,000.

Please note that in order to collect or transport scrap metal legally, in addition to obtaining a Scrap Metal Dealer Licence from us you will also need a Waste Carrier's Licence issued by the Environment Agency.

Tacit Consents:

We aim to determine your application in line with the Tacit Consents outlined within the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005. In the event that your application is not determined within that period, under the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, tacit consent is deemed to have been granted by the Council.