Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by Catherine Dobbie, Education Support Officer; David Greenwell, ADAT; Steven Shaw, Licensed Trade; George Ross, Licensed Trade; Louise Ballantyne, Local Training Provider; Violet MacLean, Community Representative.

None.

Local Licensing Forum 9 October 2008

The Minutes of the Local Licensing Forum of 9 October 2008 were approved as a correct record.

Presentation by Principal Environmental Officer

The Forum received an informative presentation from the Operations Manager, Environmental Health on Protective Services and the Links to Liquor Licensing. 

The work of Protective Services was outlined in the presentation and Mr Morrison highlighted their aims in relation to noise issues associated with the licensed trade and the health impacts.  The relationship Protective Services have with the Licensing Board and Strathclyde Police was discussed as were the challenges that are faced and how these could be tackled by the Forum. 

The Operations Manager intimated that noise can have an impact on a person’s physical, social; and psychological wellbeing.  The public, in general, are becoming less tolerant of noise and this is highlighted by a 300% increase in noise complaints over the last 4 years. 

When a noise complaint is received as well as assessed by a range of sophisticated sound monitoring devices as is assessed using objective and subjective standards.  To achieve effective noise controls Environmental Health use their own enforcement powers rather than relying on the Licensing Board.  However, working with other bodies and agencies is essential in attempting to reduce noise nuisance. 

Update from the Chair (verbal)

Following positive feedback from John MacFarlane, National Licensing Officer at the National Licensing Conference 2008, the Forum can be assured that their meetings are both engaging and proactive.  However, clarification is to be sought from the Scottish Government regarding a Good Practice Guide to confirm the way forward. 

The Head of Legal and Protective Services confirmed training dates have been organised during January and February and the Chairs of the Forum and the Board are welcome to attend.

Decision

1. Eric Box agreed to attend the training sessions and provide feedback to the Forum at the next appropriate meeting.
2. Agreed that Charles Reppke, Calum MacLachlainn and Roanna Taylor will meet to discuss a consultation exercise involving young people.  This could be run in conjunction with Young Scot and Dialogue Youth.

Update from the Chair

The Forum considered the written submissions intended to be circulated to the Community Councils to raise awareness of the Local Licensing Forum and its Members.  

Decision

1. Agreed that the letter be circulated to all Community Councils in Argyll and Bute.
2. Agreed that the Contact Details sheet include the name and the locality of each member. 

Presentation by Team Manager,  Argyll and Bute Addiction Team.  Update by Head of Legal and Protective Services and Strathclyde Police (verbal)

The Forum received an informative presentation from the Team Manager of the Argyll and Bute Addiction Team.  The presentation highlighted that Scotland’s alcohol related mortality rate for both men and women is higher than any other area of the UK.  Furthermore Argyll and Bute has the ninth highest rate of general acute hospital inpatient discharges with an alcohol related diagnosis in 2006/07 out of the 32 Council areas. 

Statistics were taken from the SALSUS 2006 which questioned 816 children from seven schools within Argyll and Bute.  The results emphasised the need to raise awareness of alcohol issues within schools.

Decision

• Agreed to collate statistics over a longer period of time to establish trends.

The Forum considered a report by the Head of Legal and Protective Services which is intended to be used as a baseline. 

It was confirmed that the LSO positions will be advertised in January. 

Decision

• Agreed to continue to the next meeting to enable Forum members to ask any questions.

Strathclyde Police confirmed that from November 2006 to November 2007 there were 40 incidents recorded, and from November 2007 to November 2008 there were 36 incidents recorded.  The Chair suggested that a statistical base be established to allow the monitoring of these results over a period of time.

Decision

• Agreed that Strathclyde Police would provide statistics and answer questions at the next meeting.

Update by Head of Democratic Services and Governance (verbal)

The Head of Democratic Services and Governance confirmed that the adverts to recruit two community representatives will be placed in January with a return date to coincide with the next meeting of the Forum. 

Decision

• Agreed to note the detail.

The Head of Legal and Protective Services informed the Forum of the Licensing Board meeting dates for 2009, which are as follows:

Thursday 29 January

Thursday 26 February

Thursday 26 March

Thursday 23 April

Thursday 28 May

These meetings are usually held in Kilmory at 11.30am but this is subject to change.  Any member wishing to attend should contact the Head of Legal and Protective Services to ensure the relevant paperwork can be sent out.

The following meetings have been confirmation for 2009:

·         Thursday 12 February 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 9 April 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 11 June 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 13 August 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 8 October 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 12 February 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 9 April 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 11 June 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 13 August 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.

·         Thursday 8 October 2009 at 10.15am in Council Chambers, Kilmory.