Dundee Licensing Forum - 02/06/2009

At a MEETING of the DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM held at Dundee on 2nd June, 2009.

Present:-

Dundee Licensing Forum

Also present:-

Ms Maureen Moran, Legal Division, Dundee City Council

Councillor David Bowes, Dundee Licensing Board

Chris SLOAN, in the Chair.

I APOLOGIES

Apologies were intimated from Ms Kirsty Licence, Messrs Colin Rattray, Jonathan Stewart, Jimmy Monaghan and Simon Goulding.

II MEMBERSHIP

It was agreed that if any member of the Forum was absent for three consecutive meetings of the Forum, it be remitted to the Secretary to write to them suggesting that they should relinquish their place on the Forum.

III MINUTE OF MEETING OF 24TH MARCH, 2009

The minute of meeting of the Forum of 24th March, 2009 was submitted and approved, subject to, in paragraph VIII, Cashback for Communities being replaced with Safer Cities Funding.

IV MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising that were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

V BEST BAR NONE SCHEME

The presentation on the above was deferred until the next meeting.

Morag Douglas, the Scheme Co-ordinator expressed concern that the uptake on the scheme had been slow this year. It was agreed that the Chairman to the Licensing Board be asked to send a letter to all licence holders strongly recommending participation in the scheme.

VI POLICY ON OVERPROVISION OF LICENSED PREMISES

It was reported that Section 7 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 required each Licensing Board to include in its policy statement:-

a statement as to the extent to which the Board considers there to be an overprovision of -

(a) licensed premises, or

(b) licensed premises of a particular description,

in any locality within the Boards areas

This duty does not come into effect until the main provisions of the Act come into force in September, 2009. The Licensing Board has a duty to carry out consultation prior to formulation of this policy, including consultation wit the Local Licensing Forum. Members of the Forum were asked to give consideration to this issue and, in particular, consider whether they were aware of problems caused by the density of licensed premises or licensed premises of a particular description, in particular localities within the Forum area.

Members felt that the information provided by the Police and Environmental Health Department would be essential of identifying problem areas and issues.

However, they felt that particular consideration should be given to tackling the problems caused by large supermarkets which served catchment areas substantially larger that the localities in which they were situated and which carried out deep discounting. It was appreciated that this problem would require to be tackled on an national level, but nevertheless the Licensing Board should be aware of the concerns of the forum.

The Forum also felt that the Board, in looking at overprovision in different locations should take into account the proximity of sensitive facilities, such as hospitals, sheltered housing, care homes, schools, nurseries and hospitals as a significant consideration.

It was noted that as the Board carried out its consultation into policy on overprovision and as more information became available further opportunities would be available for the Forum to comment.

VI POLYCARBONATE GLASSES

It was reported that feedback regarding the issue of polycarbonate glasses through the Duncan Project and Safer Cities Funding has been extremely positive.

The Forum agreed that the Licensing Board be asked to encourage more widespread use of such glasses.

Members were aware that whilst the initial cost of replacing glasses could be substantial, in the longer term replacement costs would be less. In addition, the consequent reduction in accidents to both staff and members of the public, though less immediately quantifiable, would result in significant savings in the longer term. Some funding assistance had been available in the past, and any further possible sponsorship funding should be explored.

It was recognised that particular types of premises e.g. nightclubs, premises in the city centre, premises with pavement licences, outdoor venues, premises near football grounds on match days, would particularly benefit.

The Forum agreed to ask the Board to consider asking premises to introduce polycarbonate glasses, preferably as a mandatory condition of licence, but if not, to be strongly recommended as best practice.

Whilst all licensed premises should be encouraged to introduce polycarbonate glasses, this could be done in a phased fashion, over a number of years.

However, certain types of premises should be required to implement this measure in the shorter terms, ie:-

- nightclubs

- outdoor venues (eg music festivals)

- premises with pavement licences

- premises in close proximity to football grounds on match days

- any other premises where there was a particular concern for public safety

VII LICENSING AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE

It was reported that due to members diaries it has not been possible to hold a Sub-Group meeting since the last meeting of the Forum. Kirsty Licence would be in touch in due course to set up a meeting of the Sub-Group.

VIII A O C B

Steven Dalton advised that the DAAT was moving towards becoming a Drug and Alcohol Partnership, which would sit firmly within the Community Planning Partnership Structure. Discussions were taking place over the next few weeks on the role, remit and membership of the Partnership and he would keep members advised.

IX DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, 1st September, 2009 at 2.00 pm in the City Chambers