LINK issue 30: public protection, professional growth

LINK issue 30 is out now. LINK is the Institute of Licensing’s magazine for licensing professionals, and this edition opens with a Foreword from Paul Adams, IoL Chief Executive Officer, who reflects on licensing’s growing role in protecting communities across taxi and private hire regulation, animal welfare, town centre management, the night time economy and local government reform.

Its lead article comes from Philip Kolvin KC, Patron and former Chair of the Institute of Licensing, who argues that assaults on licensed security operatives should be treated as an aggravating factor at sentencing. The IoL Taxi Licensing Policy Committee examines reform, safeguarding and national standards across UK taxi and private hire licensing. Elsewhere, Dr Victoria Ellis-Vowles, University of Lincoln, traces two centuries of change behind the decline of the village pub, and the Gambling Business Group makes the case for evidence led gambling taxation policy.

City centres, training and devolution feature too. Mark Durham, Leeds City Council, explains how the council uses Public Space Protection Orders to manage city centre challenges. Matt Bunday, University of Winchester, highlights the importance of training the next generation of licensing professionals. The IoL Animal Licensing Policy Committee examines how animal licensing regimes have diverged across the UK since devolution, and Sue Nelson sets out how licensing services can navigate local government reorganisation and devolution.

The issue closes by marking 30 years of the IoL’s National Training Conference, from a small professional gathering to a flagship event now attracting over 400 licensing practitioners.

IoL members can download LINK, issue 30 on the membership system.

Not yet a member? Get IoL membership to access LINK, exclusive resources, sector updates, training discounts and a wide range of professional benefits.