Dundee Licensing Forum - 07/09/2010

At a MEETING of the DUNDEE LICENSING FORUM held at Dundee on 7th September, 2010.

APPENDIX

Present:-

Dundee Licensing Forum

Dundee Licensing Board

Colin RATTRAY, Convener, in the Chair

I APOLOGIES

Apologies were intimated from Councillors Bowes and Andy Dawson, Liz Kay, Chris Sloan, Jennifer Keenan, Bryan Coleman and Jimmy Monaghan.

II MEMBERSHIP

It was reported that John Mitchell and Moira Ogilvie of The 5 Digits Issues Group had indicated that due to changes in personal circumstances they will be unable to attend any future meetings of the Forum. They had however advised that they would be happy to advise on any particular disability issues.

The Forum remitted to the Secretary to write to them thanking them for their very valuable contribution to the work of the Forum.

III MINUTE OF MEETING OF 8TH JUNE, 2010

The minute of the above meeting was submitted and approved.

IV MATTERS ARISING

All matters were covered elsewhere on the agenda.

V ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK

Vered Hopkins gave a brief update on Alcohol Awareness Week which was to take place from 4th to 9th October, 2010. The Scottish Government would supply promotional material in the form of posters, leaflets, beer mats etc., and members of the Forum were asked to assist in their distribution.

VI UPDATE ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

John Hosie advised that a Community Conference on Alcohol had been arranged for 23rd October, 2010. It would focus on alcohol misuse and engaging with communities. Invitations had gone out to the six Regeneration Forums, Community Councils, Neighbourhood Representative Structures, members of Community Centre Management Groups and representatives from Youth Council.

One of the questions asked at the Conference would be "how could the Forum engage with communities?", and the Chairman of the Forum would be speaking about the role of the Forum. The Chairman of the Licensing Board would also be one of the speakers

VII REPRESENTATION FROM YOUNG PEOPLE

It was reported that a Dundee Youth Council was being set up supported by the City Council, the Voluntary Sector and other agencies. It would cover the 14 to 21 age group and was expected to be fully operational by January, 2011.

It was agreed that the Forum should contact the Youth Council at that time to explore ways of engaging with young people.

There was also circulated copies of the results of a consultation exercise carried out by the Community Safety Partnership looking at young people's views on alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour.

VIII MINIMUM PRICING OF ALCOHOL

Reference was made to Article IV(c) of the minute of meeting of the Forum of 8th June wherein it was agreed that the Chairman should produce a document to facilitate discussion among Forums about measures to reduce alcohol related harm including minimum pricing.

There was circulated a draft letter prepared by the Chairman and comments were invited from members by 21st September, 2010.

IX BOTTLE MARKING SCHEME

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of the Forum of 8th June wherein it was agreed to recommend to the Licensing Board that they should implement a pilot bottle marking scheme in Dundee.

The Forum noted that a report would be submitted to the Board on 23rd September recommending:-

- support in principle for the adoption of a "Bottle Marking Scheme" in its area;

- that it be remitted to the Clerk to enter into discussions with all relevant agencies to draw up a specific proposal for such a scheme to investigate funding for this and to report back to the Board;

- that the views of the statutory consultees on the Board's 2011-2014 Statement of Licensing Policy be sought regarding the inclusion of a "Bottle Marking Scheme" in the policy itself.

X TRAINING

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of the Forum of 4th June, 2010 wherein it was remitted to the Secretary, Bryan Coleman and Morag Beattie to arrange a training session for Local Licensing Forum members. It was reported that this would take place on Tuesday, 21st September, 2010 at 2.00 p.m. in the City Chambers, Dundee.

XI REVIEW OF DUNDEE LICENSING BOARD POLICY

Kirsty Licence advised that she and Carole Robertson had considered Licensing Policies throughout Scotland and produced a report which had been submitted to the Clerk to the Board for comment.

There was also circulated copies of a Health Impact Assessment of Glasgow's Licensing Policy. It was noted that one of the main points coming out of the HIA was the importance of involving the community in licensing decisions.

In light of this, the Dundee Community Conference on Alcohol in October was seen as an important first step locally towards greater community involvement in licensing generally and the Licensing Forum specifically.

In addition, the HIA also recommended that a robust approach to overprovision should be developed by the Glasgow Licensing Board. Recent press reports suggest that Glasgow is taking steps to do just that.

Overprovision is one of the areas on which views are specifically being sought by the local consultation on the Dundee Licensing Board Policy.

It was agreed to hold a meeting of the Forum on Tuesday, 26th October, 2010 at 2.00 p.m. at which the only agenda item would be Review of Dundee Licensing Board Policy.

XII DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Special Meeting, Tuesday, 26th October, 2010 at 2.00 pm.

Joint Meeting between Licensing Board and Licensing Forum, Tuesday, 7th December, 2010 at 2.00 p.m.

Colin RATTRAY, Convener.