The Application Process (Registration of a premises for Weddings and Civil Ceremonies)
The information provided below is intended as a step-by-step guide through the process that an application for an 'Approved Place for Marriage' is subject to before being approved or refused.
1. Application form with accompanying fee of £400 is recorded, receipted and checked.
2. In considering an application the Council may consult with the following :
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The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
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The Police Service for Northern Ireland
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The District Registrar
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The Council's Environmental Health Service
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The Council's Building Control Service
3. On receipt of the application the Council shall arrange for public notice of the application to be given by requiring the applicant to place a Site Notice in a prominent position on the premises.
4. Any person may give notice of their objection to the application by writing to the Council. The Council will take into account any objections received when deciding on the grant of approval. A copy of any objections shall be sent to the applicant.
5. On receipt of all replies from those bodies consulted and all the required documentation to support the application the premises will be inspected by a Council Officer.
6. Following this inspection the application will be placed before the Council and a recommendation made. The Council will decide whether or not to grant the approval based on the replies received from the consultees and after having considered any objection made.
Conditions of Application
The following documents/ items are required in support of your application for a Place Approval:
1. The completed application form
2. The required fee of £400 - all cheques should be made payable to Mid Ulster District Council
3. Two character references to help determine if applicant is a 'fit and proper person'
4. Three sets of plans for the place applied for showing the internal layout of the premises including the room to be used for the marriage and the room to be set aside for the Registrar. These plans must be of scale 1:100. If the place applied for is outdoors three location maps will be required indicating the marriage venue, along with points of entry and exit
5. Electrical Certificates
Test certificates indicating that the following have been suitably tested:
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The Electrical Installation itself
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Any Emergency Lighting Systems
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Any Fire Alarm Systems
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(Temporary approvals may not be required to provide these certificates depending on the location)
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All electrical certificates provided must be completed by a competent electrical contractor who must carry out to work to the appropriate British Standard or equivalent.
The appropriate electrician/ tester will issue the certificates required.
6. Details of public liability insurance in respect of the place for which approval is sought.
7. The Fire and Rescue Services (NI) Order 2006, and regulations made under it, require any person with control over premises, in particular that require licence or Council approval for registration, to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment.
This legislation is normally enforced by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. However, to help you comply with this law, the Council has entered into an arrangement with NIFRS which means that Council Licensing Officers will enforce this fire safety legislation in Places providing Entertainment. Applicants MUST now provide a written copy of an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment with their application.
8. Any other certification that may be deemed appropriate to determine the application (such as Fire Fighting Equipment test certificates, material flammability certificates etc.)
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that Mid Ulster District Council must process your application before it can be granted. The Police, NIFRS and local people have a legitimate interest in the outcome of entertainment licence applications. Tacit consent does not apply to minimise the risk of an approval being granted inadvertently and subsequently resulting in public safety being at risk. If you have not heard from the Council within a reasonable period, please contact us.
While Tacit Consent does not apply we will strive to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application, including issuing the licence, within 10 working days of the Council decision made in relation to the application.
Applicants will be made aware if objections have been made to an application at the first practicable opportunity.
Failed Application Redress
Please contact Mid Ulster District Council in the first instance.
Notification of decisions
(1) The authority shall, within 7 days of its decision, notify the applicant in writing of that decision including any conditions attached to an approval under regulation 13
(2) If an application for an approval is refused, or if any conditions are attached under regulation 13(b), the authority shall include with the notification under paragraph (1):
(a) the reason for its decision; and
(b) details of the right to a review of a decision
(3) The authority shall, at the same time as it notifies the applicant, send a copy of any approval to the registrar
Appeal
(1) An applicant or an approval holder may appeal any decision made by an authority on to the county court
(2) An appeal under paragraph (1) must be lodged within 28 days of the date of receipt of the notice served
(3) An appeal under paragraph (1) may be made only on one or more of the following grounds:
(a) that the authority's decision was based on an error of law;
(b) that the authority's decision was based on an incorrect material fact;
(c) that the authority has acted contrary to natural justice; or
(d) that the authority has acted unreasonably in the exercise of its discretion
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact Mid Ulster District Council in the first instance.
Consumer Complaint
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We would always advise that in the event of a complaint, the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery).
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If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress
Any complaints concerning how an approved premises operates, including complaints about breach of conditions, noise etc should be made directly to:
Trade Associations: General Register's Office