Dundee Licensing Forum - 04/12/2007

Minute of JOINT MEETING of DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM and DUNDEE LICENSING BOARD of 4th December, 2007.

APPENDIX

Present:-

Dundee Licensing Forum

Dundee Licensing Board

Colin RATTRAY, in the Chair.

Apologies:-

Apologies were intimated from Lord Provost Letford, Councillor Helen Dick, Steve Dalton and Kenny Lindsay.

I WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chair welcomed members of the Licensing Board to the first joint meeting of the Forum and the Board and expressed the hope that the two bodies would work together to further the licensing objectives detailed in Section 4 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

II FAIRMEASURE FORTNIGHT

Raymond Lynch of the Trading Standards Section of the Council gave a presentation outlining the details of a proposed initiative by his Department to work together with the Licensed Trade to combat the problem of short measures.

It was reported that Strathclyde Trading Standards had recently developed a training pack which could be easily adapted for the Dundee area. Alternatively, Trading Standards could provide pro-forma guidance for front line staff. They were also very willing to go into premises and provide staff training.

Members of the Forum welcomed this guidance and support.

It was agreed that copies of the Strathclyde Training Pack be reviewed by several members of the Forum to consider the best way to progress this.

III COUNTERFEIT CIGARETTES

Raymond Lynch gave a second presentation on some of the measures being proposed by Trading Standards to combat the sale of counterfeit cigarettes and alert the public to their dangers.

Members expressed their support and intimated their willingness to allow posters to be displayed in pubs and clubs to this effect.

IV TEST PURCHASING

Bryan Coleman, Tayside Police, gave a brief outline of the test purchasing initiative, which had been piloted in Fife, and would shortly be commencing country-wide.

It was noted that the initiative was very much in accordance with the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, securing public safety, preventing public nuisance, protecting and improving public health and protecting young people from harm.

Members noted the detail of the initiative, and welcomed its introduction in the area.

V MINUTE OF MEETING OF LICENSING FORUM OF 25TH SEPTEMBER, 2007

The minute of the above meeting was submitted and approved.

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

There was submitted and noted the finalised Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Board had noted the Forum's comments and where possible, incorporated them into the policy. Certain issues, such as the prohibition of touting were felt to be outwith the scope of the legislation but could be addressed in other ways eg code of conduct, condition of licence.

There was considerable discussion of various issues within the policy including management arrangements for occasional licences, Sunday opening hours, disability and access issues, personal licence holders and training.

It was suggested that licensees be provided with a clear and simple guide of what was and was not permitted in terms of the policy, and it was remitted to the appropriate Officers to progress this.

VII PROPOSED DATES FOR 2008

The undernoted dates were agreed for 2008:-

Tuesday, 4th March

Tuesday, 3rd June

Tuesday, 2nd September

Tuesday, 2nd December

All to take place at 3pm in the City Chambers.

It was noted that the above meets the minimum requirements of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, but additional meetings would be set up as and when required. It was further agreed that the December meeting would be a joint meeting between the Forum and the Licensing Board.