Licensing Forum Sub-group - 06/02/2008

At a MEETING of the LICENSING FORUM SUB-GROUP of 6th February, 2008.

Present:-

Colin RATTRAY

Jonathan STEWART

Gerry MORRISON

Allan FRIEL-MYLES

Chris SLOAN

In Attendance:-

Anne SINGLETON

Colin RATTRAY in the Chair.

SALE OF SPIRITS - WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

There was submitted a letter from Raymond Lynch, Senior Trading Standards Officer, Dundee City Council, dated 3rd January, 2008 outlining three possible options to tackle the issue of short measures of spirits from open measures in Dundee licensed premises.

There was also submitted a copy of a Training Aid "Do You Measure Up", produced by the Strathclyde Branch of the Licensed Trade Association and North/South Lanarkshire Trading Standards.

After considerable discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to recommend to the Board that:-

(a) a letter be sent to all licence holders suggesting that they use the in-house guide produced by Dundee City Council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards Department (ref OM/1 - copy attached); and

(b) it be strongly suggested that licencees borrow or purchase calibrated measuring cylinders from EHTS, at a cost of 10, so they can conduct/record practical tests as to employees' capabilities in the use of open measures.

It was noted that two of the sections within the Training Aid were of particular relevance for licensees, i.e. Section 2 - "Weights and Measures", and "Self-Assessment Guide" and it was suggested that similar information be sent along with the in-house guide.

Whilst all premises could benefit from the above measures to assist in satisfying a "due diligence" defence should the need arise, it was particularly recommended for premises using mainly open measures.

Colin RATTRAY, Chair.