Issue - meetings

To consider the adoption of a Council policy for the classification of films.

(Report attached)

The Committee was asked to consider adoption of a Policy for the Classification of Films.

            Officers reported that the Council does not have a Policy outlining how to deal with films that have not been classified b the British Board of Film Classifiers (BBFC) for Public Exhibition or requests to classify those films.

            Members were informed that the Council’s responsibilities in relation to film classification are incorporated in the Licensing Act 2003 and that the Council would be required to adopt such a policy.

            Officers reported that the BBFC performs a national classification role.  However, the Council as Licensing Authority has the right to  classify films that are to be shown in premises licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 such as cinemas, hotels, clubs and public houses.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Policy for the Classification of Films, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and

RESOLVED that

2)         responsibility for the authorisation of films, which have not already been classified by the BBFC, be delegated to the Director of Planning and Regeneration, Regulatory and Housing Services.