From: Reppke, Charles Sent: 11 October 2011 09:10 To: Kelly, Hazel Subject: FW: Re-thinking alcohol licensing Attachments: RethinkAlcLicensFinpdf.pdf From: Linda Bowie [mailto:Linda.Bowie@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk] Sent: 07 October 2011 12:24 To: Licensing Subject: Re-thinking alcohol licensing Dear Sir or Madam, Alcohol Focus Scotland has you listed as the contact person for the Local Licensing Forum and I am emailing you in this capacity. If you are not the relevant person then I would appreciate if you inform me in order that our records can be updated. Please find attached a pdf copy of the report ‘Re-thinking Alcohol Licensing’ which was launched at this year’s National Licensing Conference in September for your information. I would appreciate if you could ensure that it is raised with the members of the Local Licensing Forum. To this end, several hard copies have been sent to the Convener. Unfortunately we only have limited supplies of the printed report, but we will provide further copies on request until our stocks run out. The report is also available in electronic form to download from the licensing section of our website. http://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/licensing-resources The report contains key recommendations for licensing boards, local authorities and other statutory bodies and for the Scottish Government and it is being circulated to all these key stakeholders. The report includes a recommendation that public bodies responsible for the collation of statistics relating to the five licensing objectives – crime, public nuisance and disorder, public safety, public health and protecting children from harm – should ensure as far as possible that local data are available to licensing boards on an ongoing basis, in an accessible format, to facilitate the formation of evidence-based licensing policies. The report also recommends that Licensing Boards prioritise formulating a comprehensive, evidence based statement of licensing policy. Expert opinion suggests that the licensing policy statement is key in supporting action on the protecting and improving public health. When evidence on public health (which can include relevant statistics and professional opinion) and the consequent policy decisions arising from this are clearly stated in the policy statement, this provides robust support for decisions taken on individual premises applications relating to the public health objective. Without such a policy, it is very difficult for a Licensing Board to take action on the public health objective. The report is also being sent to all Licensing Boards, Licensing Forums, and Directors of Public Health. We are planning to organise some regional events to run across Scotland later this year and early next with a view to enabling some useful discussion between these key groups on the report’s recommendations. I hope you find the report useful. Please also note that Alcohol Focus Scotland continues to offer support to Local Licensing Forums and you are encouraged to contact me (details below) if there are any issues that you wish to discuss. If you have any queries or comments I would welcome hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Linda Bowie Senior Officer (Public Health & Licensing) Alcohol Focus Scotland 166 Buchanan Street Glasgow G1 2LW Tel Direct: 0141 572 6593 Tel ServeWise National Office: 0141 572 6703 Tel Alcohol Focus Scotland: 0141 572 6700 Email: linda.bowie@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk Web: www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk Twitter: www.twitter.com/alcoholfocus reducing harm caused by alcohol Alcohol Focus Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity (SC009538) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Scottish Company No.SC094096). The Registered Office is 166 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 2LW This e-mail is intended solely for its addressee. The contents of the original and any replies contained within this e-mail expresses the opinions of the sender and do not represent the views of Alcohol Focus Scotland. Any unauthorised access, disclosure, use or copying is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. All e-mails and any attachments sent from Alcohol Focus Scotland are believed to be virus free but are opened at the recipient’s own risk.