Dundee Licensing Forum - 04/09/2007

MINUTE of MEETING of DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM of 4th September, 2007.

Present:-

Colin RATTRAY

John HARVEY (substitute for John Pearson)

Jonathan STEWART

Gerry MORRISON

Allan FRIEL-MYLES

Bryan COLEMAN

Steven DALTON

Moira OGILVY/John MITCHELL

Kenny LINDSAY

Chris SLOAN

George FERGUSON

Morag DOUGLAS

1 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Members were welcomed to the first meeting of the Dundee Licensing Forum and introduced themselves.

2 APPOINTMENT OF CONVENER

The Forum agreed to appoint Colin Rattray as Convener.

3 MEMBERSHIP

The Committee noted the membership of the Forum as detailed below:-

4 DRAFT CONSTITUTION OF DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM

The Forum approved the draft Constitution submitted subject to a number of small amendments. A copy of the amended Constitution is attached to this minute.

5 LICENSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2005 - STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY

There was submitted a consultation document relative to the Licensing Board's Statement of Licensing Policy 2007-2010 under Section 6 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act.

Under the terms of the Act, the Board must consult with the Local Licensing Forum for the Board's area, and the Forum's views were requested by Friday, 5th October, 2007.

The Forum considered a number of policy issues including:-

7         Overprovision of Licensed Premises

7         Licensing Hours

7         Provision of Food and Non-Alcoholic Refreshments in Entertainment - Licensed Premises

7         Minimum Entry Charge for Premises Providing Entertainment

7         Operating Plans

7         Best Bar None

7         Procedures for dealing with Applications for Licences etc

7         Relationships with other Strategies and Regimes

7         Enforcement

The Forum briefly discussed the issues, but agreed to consider the issues in more detail prior to the next meeting.

In addition, the Forum recommended that the issue of supermarket sale of cheap alcohol should be considered by the Board.

Bryan Coleman raised the issue of the use of plastic bottles/glasses in large outside non-licensed premises (eg concerts, festivals) and it was noted that this could be made a condition of occasional licences, where appropriate.

6 MINIMUM ENTERTAINMENT CHARGE

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Dundee City Licensing Board of 28th June, 2007, wherein it was agreed that the present minimum entry charge of 2.50 be retained, and it be remitted to the Forum to discuss minimum charging policy. This issue was also referred to in the consultation document and a copy letter from Takir Ramzan, London Nightclub was circulated. The Group also heard from Mr Ramzan who was in attendance.

Following considerable discussion, it was agreed that a sub-group be set up to consider the matter. This would comprise of Colin Rattray, Bryan Coleman, Steven Dalton, Chris Sloan, Allan Friel-Myles and John Harvey.

7 A O C B

(a) ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK

Steven Dalton advised that this would commence 21st October and involve various events nationally. Any further information could be obtained from him.

(b) PROPOSED PRESENTATIONS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE FORUM

(i) Test Purchasing (B Coleman to progress).

(ii) Proof of Age Recognition Device (B Woodcock to progress).

8 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, 25th September, 2007 at 3.30pm in Conference Room A, 17 City Square.