19/8/24: Article and image from Bill Donne. Honorary Secretary of Reading Pubwatch
Over thirty members of Reading Pubwatch attended the August meeting held at Playlist Live to hear from key note speakers from the BII and solicitors from Field Seymour Parkes (FSP).
Imelda Reddington, FSP, briefed members on checking and recording employees right to work in the UK via three methods; manual physical checks of documentation, online Home Office share codes and engaging the services of an Employer checking service.
Ms Reddington stated that the Government has increased the penalty notice fines to £45,000 (from £15,000) for the first offence, and to £60,000 (from £20,000) for subsequent offences, per worker, in each instance.
Robert Smalley, Licensing Officer from Reading Borough Council, highlighted that S.182; 11.28 Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 states that where licensed premises have been found to be employing workers that do not have the Right to Work in the UK and have been taken to a review hearing, Councillors sitting on the Licensing Sub Committee should consider revocation, even in the first instance.
Ms Reddington then informed members about the new process for the requirement for all migrants to register for e-Visas as the Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) are being phased out by 2025 and there will no longer be a reliant on physical documentation.
Callum de Freitas, Solicitor from FSP, gave a presentation on the key points of how operators of licensed premises can ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and not discriminating against protected categories under the Act, through having the correct procedures in place and the importance of staff training to all members of the team, including security. In summary, the levels of service and facilities should be available and consistent to all customers. Historic cases of breaches of the Act in pubs and bars have attracted compensation claims of up to £5,000 per person involved, plus legal costs.
Mr De Freitas provided details of the Sunflower Scheme is a simple tool that is available for customers who have non-visible disabilities who may discreetly present a lanyard or a card that may need a helping hand.
The Head of Membership, Ms Hannah Solomons, from the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII) gave a presentation on the myriad of benefits that are available to subscribers to the organisation that included helplines, discounted purchasing packages and updates on legislation affecting the hospitality industry.
Representatives from the BID, Council licensing team, the Police licensing, and the Fire and Rescue Service gave short presentations.
Callum De Freitas, FSP said:
‘it was so interesting to get an insight into the sorts of matters that are discussed at these meetings, and to see the level of collaboration between the various pubs, bars, etc. in town’
Bill Donne, Honorary Secretary, said:
‘Once again, we are grateful to all the key note speakers from Field Seymour Parkes Solicitors for presenting at our recent August Pubwatch meeting covering some interesting points on forthcoming changes to the Right to Work legislation and how operators can avoid unintentional breaches of the Equality Act.
It was also interesting to hear about the many benefits that membership of the British Institute of Innkeeping that are available.’
NPW Editor comment: If you are looking to introduce a Discrimination Policy for your venue. then have a look at a new document which we have added to the generic Policy Documents in the Resources section of our website here
All policy documents can be amended for your own use.