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South Lakeland, Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 9th September, 2025 11.00 am
September 9, 2025 View on council websiteSummary
The Licensing Sub-Committee of Westmorland and Furness Council met on 9 September 2025 to consider an application for the classification of a short film. The Sub-Committee was also scheduled to elect a chair for the meeting and handle standard opening business.
Film Classification
The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application to classify the film Workington Red.
Joshua Bardgett, Licensing Officer, and Donna McCarthy, Licensing Specialist, prepared a report for the councillors. The report explained that Westmorland and Furness Council, as the Licensing Authority, is responsible for authorising the public exhibition of films, and that under the Licensing Act 2003, any premises licence authorising the exhibition of films must include a condition restricting children's admission in accordance with recommendations from either the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) or the Licensing Authority itself.
According to the report, Rosa Prosser of Green Screen Penrith applied for a film classification to exhibit the film at the Alhambra Cinema, Penrith.
Workington Red is a 20-minute film that explores how the iron, coal, steel, and nuclear industries have shaped the landscape around west Cumbria. The film includes interviews with local people, poetry, and a song from Flimby Male Voice Choir. It was made as part of the Self Seeder residency at Florence Arts Centre and funded by Arts Council England.
Ms Prosser suggested a Parental Guidance (PG) classification for the film. Council officers also recommended that Workington Red be classified as PG, in line with BBFC guidance, as detailed in the Westmorland and Furness Council Statement of Licensing Policy (2024 – 2029). The report stated that councillors could review the film and reclassify it based on the BBFC Guidance1.
BBFC guidance classifies films into seven rating categories which are explained in the table below:
Rating Description Universal (U) Suitable for all Parental Guidance (PG) Suitable for general viewing. A PG should generally not unsettle a child aged around eight. 12a Cinema release suitable for persons 12 years and older. 12 Video release suitable for persons 12 years and older. 15 Suitable for only 15 years and older. 18 Suitable for only 18 years and older. R18 Adults work for licensed premises only. Application for the Classification of a Short Film
Other Agenda Items
The agenda for the meeting included the election of a chairman, receiving apologies for absence, declaration of interests, and introductions.
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The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1912 that is responsible for the national classification and censorship of films exhibited at cinemas and video works released on physical media within the United Kingdom. ↩
Attendees
Topics
No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.