AS the nation prepares itself for a revolution in British licensing laws, both Surrey Police and Waverley Borough Council (WBC) are working vigilantly to ensure that the transition into the new legislation is a smooth one, before its launch in November. The introduction of the Licensing Act 2003 shifted the responsibility for issuing the licences of pubs, clubs, off-licences and other entertainment premises. Whereas previously, magistrates' courts issued liquor licenses and borough councils granted other licenses (such as food and entertainment), the act established a single integrated system whereby all licences are now granted by borough councils. But the licensing system has also altered, with publicans requiring both a personal and a premises license. A premises license is required for any site where alcohol is served (and also where live music may take place and hot food is served at night), and anyone who supplies or authorises the sale of alcohol must hold a personal license, which holds a 10-year expiration date. Since February, WBC's newly-formed licensing team have been furiously processing and scrutinising license application forms from several hundred institutions. Despite a six-month period to send applications, WBC are currently experiencing something of a summer rush due to the tardiness of many license requests. "Things are quite hectic at the moment," said a WBC spokesman. "A lot of applications were received at the last minute, and our licensing team is working at full capacity to get them out in time." "The new regulations have created a great deal of public interest. Residents have responded to advertisements in the public notices section of local newspapers, and as a consequence there may well be a lot of public hearings as a result. "To date, we have had four licensing hearings and other potential hearings have been avoided through injunctions and mediations with both applicants and neighbours. In addition, WBC's environmental health team and the police have worked with applicants to negotiate reasonable variations to new licences. "We are working hard to ensure that the new legislation is imposed as smoothly as possible," she added. Meanwhile, Surrey Police is one of the key institutions in granting new licences and the day-to-day regulation of the new legislation. While licences are in the process of being issued, Surrey Police will be closely monitoring drinking establishments throughout the county to ensure that they are on the right side of the law. "Surrey Police has reviewed each individual application in regards to appropriateness and the history of the premises," said a Surrey Police spokesman. "Under the new act, Surrey Police has the ability to request a review of any licence granted should the extended liquor trading impact on the community. Therefore we will be monitoring each premises on an ongoing basis.  "The police is one of a number of agencies who can object, as can any member of the public," she added. While punters can look forward to supping pints for longer hours, publicans explained their reaction to the workings of the new system, and what the new laws mean for them. "There has been a lot said about the premises license, as that is the element which costs," said Mark Curran, landlord of The Holly Bush Inn at Frensham. "You have to pay your local authority about £1,000 initially, and then the building is surveyed, and all of the fire exits, toilets and fire extinguishers and the like are examined, which of course costs more. "As we are under Greene King, they pay, but if the pub is a free house the landlord has to pay." "I'm not against the new regulations. A pub like ours probably won't change our hours too much, but in town centres there will be pubs that want to go on a bit longer. It's better and more flexible, so that each business can run accordingly to its needs," he said. "We have applied for an extra half hour. We don't particularly intend to use it, but that extra half hour is useful." "I think it's a good thing, yes," said Julie Watson, landlady of The Seven Stars. "On Fridays and Saturdays in here, everyone will be having a good time, but come 11 o'clock, it all has to stop and everyone has to go home. The new laws mean I can open longer and earn more money!" she added."