Information and guidance related to licensing, trading standards and environmental health.
We are working as fast as we can to update this page with useful information for you. Please follow @LGAComms and @LGANews for the latest updates and keep checking back.
Licensing
- LGA guidance and support
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The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) Regulations 2020: Enforcement advice for local authorities
This note provides guidance on the interpretation of the key issues within The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020 (referred to as ‘the regulations’) and in particular the Tier 2 ‘High Alert’ restrictions. New tiered restrictions come into effect on Wednesday 2 December and are due to be in place until 2 February 2021.
Licensing of outdoor drinking and dining - updated guidance note
This licensing of outdoor drinking and dining guidance note sets out the immediate first steps for councils to consider now that the Business and Planning Act has come into force. The guidance also outlines some wider reopening issues for councils and business to consider.
An example application form is also available
Approaches to managing licensing and related issues during the COVID-19 pandemic
This publication provides a summary of issues councils’ licensing teams and others have raised with the LGA, outlining how these could be managed based on a set of key principles and examples of what councils have already advised us they are doing in response.
Approaches to the use of screens in private hire vehicles (PHVs) and taxis during the COVID-19 pandemic
A note signposting councils to relevant general guidance, as well sharing approaches taken by authorities which have taken a position on the use of screens. Read and download 'Approaches to the use of screens in private hire vehicles (PHVs) and taxis'.
Mobile caterers and street trading
The LGA has been approached by the National Caterers Association (NCASS) asking for councils to take a flexible approach regarding the operation of mobile caterers, many of whom fall outside the scope of various business support schemes established by the Government.
LGA Remote Council Meetings Hub
Our Remote Council Meetings Hub is a central pool of information, advice and guidance from our partners across the sector.
- Official Government information
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GOV.UK – alcohol licensing: guidance on temporary new off-sales permissions
GOV.UK – Coronavirus (COVID-19): Organised events guidance for local authorities
Trading standards
- General information
- Other useful information
Environmental Health
- General information
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GOV.UK – regulatory position statements from the Environment Agency
GOV.UK – protecting groundwater when developing or expanding cemeteries during coronavirus
Local authority COVID-19 compliance and enforcement good practice framework, January 2021
Councils across the country have been adapting existing compliance and enforcement practices and systems for these new circumstances. This document produced by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) aims to capture some of the Covid-19-specific compliance and enforcement learning and make it more easily available to all authorities.
Approaches to managing licensing and related issues during the COVID-19 pandemic
A summary of issues councils’ licensing teams and others have raised with the LGA and outlines how these could be managed based on a set of key principles and examples of what councils have already advised us they are doing in response.
COVID-19: mobile caterers and street trading
The LGA has been approached by the National Caterers Association asking for councils to take a flexible approach regarding the operation of mobile caterers, many of whom fall outside the scope of various business support schemes established by the Government.