By laws

[babyface28]

I want to let an acupuncturist use my room one morning a week. This person has a licence in another district (where he lives) under Section 14 of the Local Government (Misc Provision) Act 1982 but now has to apply for one in my area, and is registering my premises. Fair enough, one license per district and my address is registered.


BUT the council is trying to claim that I need a licence as well for the same premises... even though I don't practice acupuncture, and am not employing anyone who does. The Act states

(1)A person shall not in any area in which this section is in force carry on the practice of acupuncture unless he is registered by the local authority for the area under this section.
(2)A person shall only carry on the practice of acupuncture in any area in which this section is in force in premises registered by the local authority for the area under this section; but a person who is registered under this section does not contravene this subsection merely because he sometimes visits people to give them treatment at their request.


The bylaws themselves refer to the proprietor as being the person registered under the Act, and goes into hygiene, needles etc. So if the acupuncturist registers it makes sense.

So ... if I don't practice acupuncture, and my premises is registered by someone who does practice acupuncture, and is technically the "proprietor" under the ruling bylaw,( “Proprietor” means any person registered under Part VIII of the Act). and is the proprietor of their own business, then isn't registering the same premises twice just a money grabbing exercise?

It is actually a bit scary that for £80 I can get a licence, in my name, at my premises, saying I am registered for acupuncture with the district council under Section 14 of the Local Government (Misc Provision) Act 1982. I am thinking of claiming that I believe I would be commiting an offence if I knowingly apply for a license under the Act when I am not an acupuncturist


Any acupuncturists with any experience of this problem when trying to rent room space ....?