Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Superintendent Raymond Park, Catherine Dobbie, Roanna Taylor, George Ross, Fred Bruce and Susan Mair.

Charles Reppke invited nominations from the Forum for the appointment of a Convener.  Brian Kupris proposed that Eric Box be appointed as Convener and this was Seconded by J Russell Buchanan.  Eric took the Chair.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2009 were approved as a correct record.

The Forum had been asked to provide a view to the Licensing Board on the introduction of a policy for use of plastic glasses in licensed premises in Argyll and Bute.  At a previous meeting the Police had been asked to provide information on the number of incidents in the past year when glass or bottles had been used as a weapon. There had been 5 incidents in total - 3 in Lochgilphead, 1 in Oban and 1 in Rothesay.  Inspector Harper advised the Forum that the Police recommend the use of plastic glasses at every significant licensed event.

Decision

The Forum agreed -

1. To convey the view to the Board that due to the low level of incidents in Argyll and Bute, they agree with the recommendation made by the Police that plastic glasses should be used at significant licensed events but otherwise their use should be at the discretion of the landlord of the premises. 

2. That the number of incidents in which glass had been used as a weapon be reviewed annually.

Members of the Forum had been asked to look at the Alcohol Focus Scotland website and provide comment/ideas for improvement.

Decision

1. The Forum noted that there was very little licensing information available on the AFS website.

2. It was agreed that Cath Cakebread would speak to AFS informally about this and ascertain if there are any plans for redevelopment of the website.

Inspector Harper reported on the number of visits and incidents in the Argyll and Bute Area between December 2009 and January 2010.  He highlighted that the high number of premises visited was due to the Christmas and New Year period and advised that there were no significant issues to report.  The Chair expressed disappointment that the statistics had not been issued with the agenda as had been agreed.  (Item 9 Forum Meeting 9 April 2009)

Decision

The Forum -

1. noted the report.

2. noted that in future the statistics would be sent by the Police to Corporate Services 10 days prior to a meeting to ensure issue with the agenda pack.

Eric Dearie, Licensing Standards Officer, advised that the MOD held in Oban had been very successful and no significant issues had arisen from the extended hours granted to many licensed premises.  He advised that although the Board now had the power to issue a blanket licence to all premises they had decided to ask each premise to apply for a separate extended hours licence at a cost of £10 per premise.  He advised that in future the Board would be looking at granting blanket licences for large events and the group asked for information on the process for granting a blanket licence.  Cath Cakebread asked if there was a need for a FAQ document on licensing law that the public could refer to.  Eric advised that a document had already been produced and was available on the Argyll and Bute Council Website.

Decision

The Forum noted the verbal report by the Licensing Standards Officer.

This item had been placed on the agenda due to a report of licensed premises closing before their permitted hours.  Since then Eric had been advised by Susan that a similar issue is currently the subject of litigation.  As the Forum did not have the full details of the court case it was agreed that this would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.  It was noted that the details of the court case would be circulated once obtained from Susan Mair.

Eric Dearie advised that since he had come into post on 6 August 2009 a Memorandum of Understanding had been drawn up and signed off between himself and various departments of the Council.  He advised that a Memorandum of Understanding with the Police was under development and was currently at  Pitt Street for consideration.  He hoped this would also be signed off in the near future.  Eric reported that he had good working relations with departments of the Council and that he’d had no problem obtaining any information he had been looking for; likewise with the Police.  He advised that he had made a number of mainly complaint related visits to licensees but had found those concerned very willing to co-operate.

Decision

1. The update was noted by the Forum.

2. It was agreed that this item would be placed on the agenda as a standing item at future meetings.

The Forum were asked to nominate a representative to attend the Tackling Alcohol Misuse Conference on 23 March 2010.

Decision

It was agreed that Eric Box would attend the Conference in his position as Chair of the Forum.

Charles Reppke gave an update on the issues listed on the tracker.  He advised that the NLDO wished to use the tracker document as an example of good working practice.

Louise Walker asked for an update on an issue at a previous meeting with regard to the law and whether or not it was an offence for an under 18 to buy alcohol.  Eric Box advised that it was now an offence under the 2005 act. 

Sheila Johnston enquired as to whether there had been any date set by which all the Premises Licences would be issued in Argyll and Bute.  Charles advised that he would ask Susan Mair to give Sheila an update directly.  Eric Box asked that this be sent to him also.

The Forum agreed that quarterly meetings would be held in 2010 on the following dates with the understanding that additional meetings could be organised if required -

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Wednesday 27 October 2010

J Russell Buchanan reported that smaller premises selling gifts containing alcohol have been giving up their licenses due to the fact that they were having to specify where on the premises the goods were displayed.  He suggested that this be discussed by the Forum and it was agreed that this would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.