LICENSING reforms are set to change the way club and pub bosses apply for drinks permits.

From October, magistrates will stop making licensing decisions.

Instead, Kirklees councillors sitting on a committee will get the final say.

That means applications determined by the council could increase five-fold, from 400 to 2,000.

But magistrates will not be completely forgotten, as they will deal with appeals.

The reforms, announced by the Government last year, have been brought in to tighten up a disjointed licensing policy as well as being an attempt to improve the nations' "evening economy".

Priorities will be preventing crime and disorder and maintaining public safety at night, while making sure revellers have a good time.

Police, firefighters and members of the public will all be involved in decisions, as they are now.

The new system and its implications was outlined to councillors on the Huddersfield Area Town Centre sub-group.

There will be four new types of licence:

* Club licences.

* Individual licences obtained by just one applicant and which last 10 years

* Premises licences, which will be permanent and replace the public entertainment licence

* Temporary event notices, which replace occasio- nal licences

Although premises licences have an infinite lifespan, they can be reviewed at any time.

Where there are no objections to an application, the matter will be determined by Kirklees officials. Otherwise, the licensing committee makes the decision.

Fees will be set nationally.

They will range from between £100 to £500 for a premises licence, with an additional £50 to £150 annual payment.

A temporary licence will be £20 and the 10-year personal licence costs £30.

The system is designed to be self-funding.