License department is making a mess.
Created: January 16, 2025.
What is the problem?
For the last couple of years, the license department is messing up. They issue the wrong licenses, they take too long with deciding
about license applications, or simply just never show any sign of life to license applicants anymore. What first seemed to be
individual incidents, things are now looking structural. At first, those individual incidents could be resolved after some effort,
but now it looks like it's getting worse instead of better.
What are we doing about it?
During 2024, we extensively tried to communicate for months and months - but with no result. While initially the wrong licenses could
be easily swapped, now the license departmant seems to be convinced they are actually correct and the only license available. They
repeatedly promised to investigate, but in fact only postponing things and basically just stringing us along.
Instead of waiting till eternity, one particular case about taking too long processing the license application has been brought to
court - and obviously won by us. Court has convicted the license department to compensate the costs of the court case, but has exceeded
multiple deadlines for payment.
The connected dispute about the actual contents of the license is now laying at the municipal appeal comittee. The appeal committee
immediately stated they need extra time for handling the case.
Preliminary conclusion:
While street theatre has the support of the Mayor and the city council, it seems like the license department is going their own (opposite)
way and doing everything they can to frustrate the Amsterdam street theatre. Or, while signing their messages with "License Specialist",
maybe they are just totally unprofessional and have no clue whatsoever what they are doing and why.
Time will tell.
Advice and request to all circle-show performers!
When you apply for a license, keep all evidence: mostly important, the email confirmation of your application, but also copies of documents
you may have included and any other communication you had with them.
If a decision about your license takes longer than 8 weeks or if you receive a wrong license, contact us and we will discuss the next
step, possibly including legal help.
To be continued...
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