Dundee Licensing Forum - 02/06/2015

At a MEETING of the DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM held at Dundee on 2nd June, 2015.

Present:-

Licensing Forum

In attendance

John McDONALD, Dundee City Council, Legal

Jonathan STEWART, in the Chair.

II WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited them to introduce themselves. He also reminded the Forum of the Licensing Objectives and reported on matters in the local and trade press since the previous meeting, some of which were covered later on in the agenda.

III MEMBERSHIP

It was reported that Mr Drew Walker would replace Ms Lynn Hamilton as the NHS representative on the Forum, and Garyth Jardine would replace Liz Kay as Community representative.

The Forum noted and approved accordingly.

IV MINUTE OF MEETING OF 3RD MARCH, 2015

The minute of meeting of the Dundee Licensing Forum of 3rd March, 2015 was submitted and approved.

V MATTERS ARISING

On a reference to Article VI, Relationship between Alcohol Outlet Density and Alcohol Related Harm in Dundee City, it was reported that arrangements were being made to arrange a presentation of the study to the Board, possibly at a Joint Meeting of the Board and Forum (Vered Hopkins/Blair Findlay).

VI S.T.A.R. AWARDS 2015

Morag Beattie gave an update on the progress of the S.T.A.R. Awards assessment process.

VII SALE OF ALCOHOL AT FOOTBALL GROUNDS

There was submitted a report prepared for the Alcohol and Drug Partnership, at the request of a number of elected members, following recent discussions regarding the possibility of reintroducing the sale of alcohol within Football Stadiums.

It was noted that the ADP held the view expressed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS), the British Medical Association, Police Scotland, (and others) that the sale of alcohol at football matches should not be reintroduced, and that given this almost overwhelming consensus, the matter would be unlikely to be taken forward.

VIII DECISIONS ON DUNDEE LICENSING BOARD OVERPROVISION

This item had been put on the agenda at the request of David Glass, and related to a recent decision of the Board to grant a licence for the sale of alcohol in an area which was not within the waterfront development area.

It was noted that the Board's policy was a presumption against granting any new licences outwith the waterfront area. rather than an absolute ban, and applicants would require to convince the Board that its particular circumstances and conditions would justify granting a licence.

It was further noted, as a new policy, it might take time to clarify its interpretation and processes. It was suggested that it would be helpful if there was more information available about how premises would operate, and awareness of local conditions. It was also suggested that ways in which members of the Community could be made aware of new applications and their opportunity to make objections, be improved.

IX AOCB - THE ALCOHOL (LICENSING, PUBLIC HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE) BILL

Simon Goulding gave a brief summary of the abovementioned private members bill prepared by Richard Simpson, MSP, which aimed to close a number of perceived loopholes in the present licensing system.

It was noted that any comments on the proposals should be submitted by 24th June, 2015.

X DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, 1st September, 2015, 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm.