CHANGES in licensing laws may end in West Dorset District Council being swamped with hundreds of new applications next year.

Staff have warned that the shake-up will have a 'massive impact' on workloads and resources when it comes into force from the spring onwards.

Now councillors will decide whether to allocate funding for extra staff to cope.

The move comes after the Licensing Act of 2003 transferred responsibility for alcohol licensing from magistrates to councillors.

That may mean the council dealing with 1,330 licence applications for premises,

people, entertainment, alcohol and refreshment - way above the current level of 160.

Corporate services manager Bob Hanton said: "While the act consolidates the existing provisions that govern cinema, theatre, public entertainment and late-night refreshment licences, the most significant reform is for the alcohol licensing regime.

"The act transfers responsibility for liquor licensing from courts to local authorities.

"It cannot be emphasised enough that the new duties that the act places on local authorities will have a massive impact on workloads and current resources."

He added: "The full-time member of staff currently undertaking the public entertainment licence function will be overwhelmed.

"The premises licences alone will represent over a three-fold increase in workload before the work involved with issuing 800 personal licences is even taken into account."

The changes will come into force between March 2004 and January 2005, with fees of an average £300 per premises licence and £30 per personal licence expected to bring in about £146,500 over the first year.

The personal licences last 10 years while the premises licences may last as long as the premises or until an application is made to change them.

Mr Hanton said the council may have to spend about £59,000 over the next financial year on extra staff, equipment, training and consultation to prepare for the changes.

He added that then onwards the costs are estimated at about £44,000 per annum against an income for about £52,000 from new licences and annual inspections.

Members of the council's appeals and licensing committee meet on September 3, when they will be urged to approve funding, and give directors power to approve more if needed.