The House of Commons has published new guidance to ensure that the police and councils encourage their local music scene to prosper under the new licensing laws.

The guidance requests that councils place only proportionate conditions on live venues and consult local musicians and venue owners regularly in order to monitor the impact of the new licensing laws on live music.

If a live event is not thriving under the new laws, local councils are asked to reconsider their licensing policies.

Music minister Shaun Woodward said: “Live venues are the heart of many communities, which is why we have given them greater opportunities to put on live entertainment, such as music and dancing, under the licensing laws. However, we need to ensure that local councils promote these opportunities and that venue owners take advantage of council support.

“Consequently, we’ve published further guidance for the police and councils to clarify some of the issues which have arisen since the Licensing Act became law. The new laws have been in place for six months but it’s still too soon to draw any conclusions. We will continue to monitor the impact of the Act throughout this year and beyond.”

The new guidance includes advice on the following issues: councils should ask landlords for advice when drawing up their late night transport plans, as they know the habits of their customers best; local residents and the police no longer need to produce a catalogue of evidence when asking for a licence to be reviewed and personal licence holders no longer need to be on the premises at all times to supervise alcohol sales, as they can now authorise someone else to be in charge.

This initial review of the licensing guidance hopes to clarify and add to the existing guidance in areas where there is broad consensus among stakeholders. A fully revised guidance report will be published for consultation in the summer.

Feargal Sharkey, chair of the Live Music Forum, said: “Live music is vitally important both culturally and economically. It’s obvious that people love going to live gigs. But it’s sometimes less obvious how much a local community can gain financially from a live venue.

“Music fans don’t just go to a gig, have a pint and go home. They might go to a bar first, have a meal or get a taxi, which is good news for the local economy.” Details: www.culture.gov.uk