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Met man joins MusicTank’s 696 debate

By | Published on Monday 14 September 2009

The next MusicTank Think Tank debate will consider the effects of the 2003 Licensing Act on the grass roots music scene, a much discussed topic of late as the government have been reviewing said legislation, though without making most of the changes many in the grass roots live sector had hoped for.

The controversial 696 form, devised by the Met Police and used by London local authorities as part of the live music licensing process, has been very much part of this debate, which is why it is exciting that Adrian Studd from the London police force will be on the Think Tank panel. As previously reported, the Met recently reviewed the 696 form and made some changes – including removing the most controversial question about music genre, the question some felt could lead to racial prejudice – though much of the form remains intact. A key player in the Met’s Clubs And Vice unit, Studd has been vocal in speaking in support of the 696 form in the past.

He will be up against one of the form’s biggest critics at the event – John Whittingdale MP who, as also previously reported, heads up the Culture, Media And Sport parliamentary select committee, and who made various recommendations regarding revising the 2003 Licensing Act earlier this year, and also called for the 696 form to be scrapped.

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