Dundee Licensing Forum - 06/09/2011

At a MEETING of the DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM held at Dundee on 6th September, 2011.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

Dundee Licensing Forum

Dundee Licensing Board

Councillor Christina ROBERTS

Chris SLOAN, Convener, in the Chair.

I APOLOGIES

Apologies were intimated from Councillors Guild, Bowes, Fordyce and Gordon and Mr Simon Goulding.

II MINUTE OF MEETING OF DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM OF 6TH JULY, 2011

The minute of the above meeting was submitted and approved.

III MEMBERSHIP

(a) REPRESENTATION FROM YOUNG PEOPLE

The Forum formally appointed Matt Landsburgh, Chair of Dundee Youth Council.

(b) REPRESENTATION FROM OFF-SALES LICENCE HOLDERS

The Forum formally appointed Paul Howie of C J Lang.

IV ALCOHOL ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010 - GUIDANCE FOR LICENSING BOARDS

Reference was made to paragraph IV of the minute of meeting of 6th July, 2011, wherein the Forum remitted the Secretary to forward the Forum's comments to the Scottish Government. The Forum noted the final approved guidance for Licensing Boards relative to the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Act 2010.

V BOTTLE MARKING SCHEME

On a reference to paragraph V of the minute of meeting of 6th July, 2011, there was submitted, for information, Report No 380-2011 which was approved by the Licensing Board on 18th August, 2011.

The Forum noted the current voluntary nature of the scheme and the role of the Police, Community Wardens and Licensing Standards Officers in identification of premises. The scheme would be monitored and evaluated by the Board with regular updates submitted to the Forum; evaluation results from a similar scheme introduced in Newcastle would be circulated.

The Forum further noted the forthcoming Focus on Alcohol poster campaign by the Dundee Focus on Alcohol Project.

VI BEST BAR NONE 2011

Morag Beattie updated the Forum on Best Bar None 2011. Numbers remained lower than in previous years and efforts to encourage participation were ongoing with the development of new initiatives such as community pubwatch schemes. Tickets for the annual awards ceremony on 25th September, 2011 had sold out.

The role played by Police and Fire Services in promoting membership of the scheme was acknowledged.

VII LICENSING FORUM REVIEW

The Convener confirmed that the draft questionnaire would be circulated for comments prior to issue later in September.

NHS Scotland's recent report evaluating the implementation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 would also be circulated for information.

VIII STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY 2011/2014

Reference was made to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of the Forum of 6th July, 2011, wherein it was agreed that full consideration be given to:-

(i) possible mandatory condition on "on-sales" premises regarding the upkeep and condition of fixtures and fittings; and

(ii) possible mandatory conditions on premises for occasional licences, including training of staff and the number of permissions for a single premise; with a view to making a recommendation to the Licensing Board.

It was reported that the Licensing Board was empowered to impose conditions on new licences provided such conditions were not of a more onerous nature than existing mandatory conditions and were not inconsistent with existing legislation. Variations to existing licences were not currently possible. The Forum could therefore make recommendations to the Board to attach local mandatory conditions, both general and specific, to new licences, within specific limits.

With regards to occasional licences, it was noted that it was not possible to recommend reductions in the numbers granted but, as training issues were not covered by guidance, it would be possible to recommend mandatory training to the Licensing Board.

Following discussion, it was agreed to defer the final decision on any proposals to impose local conditions to the next meeting of the Forum to allow consideration of recommendations drafted by the Senior Solicitor (Licensing) relative to the imposition of conditions.

IX A O C B

(a) AGENDA ITEMS

The Convener requested that, where possible, any items for inclusion on agenda be submitted in advance of meetings.

(b) QUORUM

The Convener made reference to occasional difficulties in obtaining a quorum and confirmed that substitutes were permitted.

(c) FORTHCOMING EVENTS

- Focus on Alcohol project to be launched 26th September, 2011

- Alcohol Awareness Week - commences 14th November, 2011

(d) OVERPROVISION

It was noted that a report on this topic would be submitted to the next meeting.

X DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, 6th December, 2011 at 2pm.