Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Tim Saul, Sheila Johnston, Raymond Boyle and Councillor Rory Colville.

Local Licensing Forum of 26 November 2013

The minutes of the Local Licensing Forum held on 26 November 2013 were approved as a correct record.

The Forum heard a presentation on the work carried out by the Community Action Mid Argyll project (CAMA), delivered by the project co-ordinator John Woods.  The members of the Forum undertook in a discussion regarding issues raised in the presentation. The group discussed, in detail, underage drinking particularly in sixteen and seventeen year olds. The Forum noted that as a whole it seems that young people are generally being more responsible when drinking alcohol. The Forum suggested that the fear of social media recording any embarrassing moments and a change in the behaviour of role models perhaps could have contributed to the change in behaviour. The group also undertook in a detailed discussion regarding the reduction in violent crime and noted that the behaviour of people in licensed premises has greatly improved. 

Susan Mair advised the Forum that Argyll and Bute Licensing Board, in their Licensing Policy Statement, had agreed to research overprovision and come out with a view.  Susan advised that at the last Board meeting it was agreed that the Chair of the Licensing Board, Councillor Rory Colville, along with Councillor Sandy Taylor and Councillor Richard Trail would form a working group to look in more detail at overprovision and come to a view on whether overprovision exists or does not exist within Argyll and Bute. Susan reported that the group had met for the first time on 16 April 2014, and a representative from Alcohol Focus Scotland had joined the meeting via Lync, who had advised that there was a toolkit available from Alcohol Focus Scotland to help with overprovision. Susan informed the group that Graeme Forrester had been in contact with Cleland Sneddon, Chair of the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, to see how the working group can work along side the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership in researching overprovision.

Decision

The Forum questioned why overprovision was an item on the agenda again and it was agreed that it would only be put on at a future meeting if the working group requires specific input from the Forum.

Susan Mair advised that alcohol related health statistics which are complied for Argyll and Bute by the National Health Service are broken down into four areas but they are also presented as a whole.

Decision

The forum noted that Argyll and Bute can be analysed as a whole or split into four regions when analysing alcohol related health statistics.  

No discussion was had on this item.

No discussion was had on this item.

The Forum discussed the purpose of the Local Licensing Forum, as some members feel the Forum is not making a difference as they have a good discussions however do not make any recommendations. It was noted that since the start of the Forum, they have supported and impacted on some key issues such as the Licensing Policy Statement. The members feel that they do not work closely enough with the Licensing Board and do not get the opportunity to comment on any issues that the licensing board have. It was suggested that a member of the Licensing Board could attend the next meeting of the Local Licensing Forum to see how they think the Forum should be supporting them. It was also suggested that minutes of the Licensing Board could be brought to the Forum so the Forum are aware of any key issues the board are facing.

The group questioned the remit of the Local Licensing Forum, Susan Mair advised that the remit of the Local Licensing Forum as stated in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 is to keep under review the operation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 in the Forum’s area and in particular, the exercise by the relevant Licensing Board of their functions and giving such advice and making such recommendations to that or any of those Boards in relation to those matters as the Forum considers appropriate.

The group raised concerns over the items on the agenda and where they should come from. Susan advised that members of the forum should be taking any issues they have and sending them to the Chair for inclusion on the agenda however some members felt that this is not the purpose of the Forum. The Forum identified that they are not made aware of any issues that are ongoing within the Area, that affect licensing.

Susan suggested that it would be beneficial if members could look at the minutes from Local Licensing Forums from other Councils within Scotland before the next meeting so we can see what work is being carried out by them.

The Forum agreed that at the next meeting they will discuss what the purpose of the Local Licensing Forum is and how the Forum can move forward.

Decision

The Forum agreed to discuss the role of the forum at the next meeting and how they can move forward. The Group agreed to invite a member of the Licensing Board to the next meeting.