For the purpose of this policy Soho comprises the parish of St Anne's and the northern part of the parish of St James' Piccadilly.
 
Maintaining high standards of licensing in Soho is key to the prevention of crime and disorder and nuisance and ensuring public safety given the number and range of licensed premises in Soho.
 
Accordingly, in pursuit of the objects of the Society, this Licensing Mandate is hereby approved with the aim:

• To make Soho a better place to live in, work in and visit by preserving and enhancing the area's existing diversity of character and uses, and by improving its facilities,amenities and environment.
• To protect the interests of local residents, traders and workers and where necessary to give priority to local community needs over those of the tourist industry.
• To assist and support residents in their objections to licensing applications.
• To ensure that high standards are maintained in licensed premises.

In accordance with these aims, authorised members of the Society may object, make representations, comment on or otherwise engage in any licensing-related activity with any statutory or non-statutory authority or party insofar as these activities relate to the objects of the Society and are in accordance with this Mandate.
 
Relevant considerations
 
In considering whether the Society should engage in any 'licensing matter authorised members should have regard to the following considerations:
 
(i) Protection of Residential Amenities
 
The Society will require particular protection of local residents in narrow streets where noise is much more obtrusive,
 
(ii) Schools and Nurseries
 
Special consideration will be paid to the interests of parents and children in the area of the school and nurseries and routes travelled by them as a matter of necessity.
 
(iii) Proliferation issues
 
We will make objections on the ground of proliferation or concentration in any particular residential area, which may be regarded as grounds for objection for this reason alone.
 
(iv) Hours of Opening and Conditions
 
Generally, we will not object to licence applications that conform with the relevant policies of the City of Westminster's Licensing Policy effective 7 January 2008, subject to objections for any other reason.
 
(v) Environmental Issues
 
Particular note would be paid to intrusive musical noise, the titres of premises closing and the switching off of mechanical equipment, such as air conditioning, the disposal of rubbish and bottles, and the orderly and quiet leaving of premises by patrons and staff.
 
(vi) Quality of the licensee
 
We will make objections and representations in respect of licences where the operator has managed the premises in an unsuitable or inappropriate manner having regard to the aims of this mandate and the objects of the Society.
 
Licensing-related Activities and Hearings
 
Decisions on whether the Society should engage in any matter related to licensing shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee which may delegate its functions to a Licensing Committee, whose members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.
 
Members of the Society who have a conflict of interest with respect to the outcome of any matter to be considered by the Licensing Committee shall not be in attendance when that matter is discussed. The Chairman of the Licensing Committee shall be the final arbiter of whether a conflict of interest has arisen or not. The Licensing Committee shall submit a report of its activities after each meeting to the Executive Committee.
 
Evidence at Licensing Hearings may be given by any officer or Executive Member of the Soho Society, on behalf of the Society, and Ordinary Members of the Society may be elected to speak by the Executive Committee. In addition, any member of the Licensing Committee may act on behalf of the Society on any licensing-related matter provided he or she has been approved to do so by the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.
 
Conduct of persons authorised to speak for the Society
 
Members of the Society who are authorised to engage in licensing-related activities must ensure that any opinions, comments and representation made in the name of the Society orally or in writing are based on well-founded reasoned argument based on research or direct experience on issues relating to the charity's objects, Members must not conduct themselves in any manner or use language that is likely to call into question the good name and reputation of the Society.
 
 
Approved by the Licensing Committee: 1 May 2005
Approved by the Executive Committee: 8 May 2005
Approved by the Membership at the AGM on 24 February 2006