Surely a venue hosting a small jazz or folk gig won't have
to provide the names, addresses and dates of birth of all performers?
The answer, it seems, is 'yes, they will' - if the venue is in one of
the 13 London boroughs that have adopted this policy.
Since the Met's 'Form 696' came to wider public attention at last week's
session of the Culture Committee, many musicians have expressed outrage
and disbelief that this requirement might apply to them.
I found 13 London councils that have incorporated Form 696 requirements
into their Statements of Licensing Policy, all of which are available
online. Most of these Statements include the Met's own definition of an
event for which Form 696 applies, and it is clear that even the smallest
gig in a bar or restaurant is caught:
'Metropolitan Police Definition of a "Significant Event". This
definition relates to events that require a Promotion/Event Risk Assessment
Form 696. A significant event will be deemed to be: any occasion in a
premises licensed under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, where
there will be a live performer(s) ? meaning musicians, DJs, MCs or other
artiste; that is promoted in some form by either the venue or an outside
promoter; where entry is either free, by invitation, pay on the door or
by ticket.'
http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=6464
(search within the document for '696')
Moreover, having completed the 8-page form prior to the performance, once
the gig is over venues must complete Form 696A giving an account of how
it went: http://www.met.police.uk/events/forms/form_696a.doc
(Microsoft Word document)
The 13 councils are:
Bexley, Brent, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith & Fulham,
Kingston, Lambeth, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Royal Borough
of Windsor & Maidenhead, Southwark, and Sutton.
ENDS
Hamish Birchall
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