Committees
HIGHLAND LICENSING FORUM
Minute of the meeting of The Highland Licensing Forum held in Northern Constabulary, Headquarters, Inverness on Monday 4 April 2011 at 2.00 pm.
Present:
Mrs Pat Hayden (Resident Member) – Convener, in the Chair
Mr Ramsay McGhee (Trade and Licence Member)
Joanne Sutherland (Trade and Licence Member)
Paul Cariss (Resident Member)
Inspector Tom Ogilvie (Representative of Northern Constabulary)
Suzy Calder (Health Representative)
Dr Margaret Somerville (Health Representative) – from item 5 only
Ian Cox, Licensing Standards Officer
David Inglis, Licensing Standards Officer by video link
In attendance:
Fiona Sinclair, Legal Adviser to the Forum and Clerk
1. Convener’s Welcome
The Convener welcomed those present to the meeting and extended a special welcome to new member Joanne Sutherland to her first meeting. Mrs Hayden also thanked Northern Constabulary for the refreshments which were served before the commencement of the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of –
Graham Robertson, HIFRS – Fire Service member
Clifford Cooke – Education Representative
Fiona Palin – Social Work Service Representative
Mike Jones – Senior Youth Development Officer
3. Minute of Meeting held on 31 January 2011
The minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2011, copies of which had already been circulated were approved on the motion of Ramsay McGhee seconded by Paul Cariss.
4. Update from Mike Jones on Young Scot Cards
As Mr Jones was unable to attend the meeting he had submitted a report which had been circulated to members in advance of the meeting. Along with the report there had been circulated a letter from COSLA to Licensing Board Clerks endorsing the card and a copy of the “follow up” letter which is sent to cardholders if it is found that there have been attempts made to alter details on their card. Mr Jones reported that he had received only seven confiscated cards from the Police or Licensed Premises in the last six months and in all cases Police had spoken to the cardholders and the follow up letter had been sent to them. Mr Jones was keen that the Licence Trade would continue to confiscate cards where there was any evidence of attempted fraud and submit the cards where there had been any signs of tampering to Mr Jones’ office. Mr Jones reported that most tampering is crude and easily spotted. He stated that the national design is being changed so that any tampering will be obvious. The new card design includes a stripe under the date of birth which will make scraping and alteration to the year of birth much more difficult. In addition there will be an extra logo where cardholders are over the age of eighteen. With reference to the Forum members concern that cards are being handed over to younger siblings, Mr Jones reported that there had been no national reporting of this. He suggested that it is important that those viewing cards ensure that cards have only been issued in the last two years and that the photo on the card is a good likeness of the individual presenting it.
Mr Jones’ report also covered the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) in terms of which the only acceptable proof of age for purchasing tobacco will be driving licences, passports or pass cards. An awareness pack for those in the retail and licensing trade will let retailers know that cards bearing the pass hologram, which includes the Young Scot National Entitlement Card (YEC) are as credible as passports and driving licences for providing proof of age. A trial of handheld readers for Young Scot Cards had shown up technical problems in Inverclyde. It was not envisaged that the use of handheld card readers would be progressed at this time. Finally, Mr Jones’ report concluded that he had not heard of any licensees being warned or prosecuted regarding false pass cards being accepted.
During discussions, the Forum members welcomed the provision of a date on the new style of cards and noted the terms of the report. Forum members felt that Young Scot Cards were not used as frequently for proof of age as passports or driving licences and it was felt that the Young Scot Cards may be loosing credibility because it is easy to tamper with them. It was agreed that through Inspector Tom Ogilvie the Police would be invited to obtain confiscated cards from Licence holders in order that these could be shown to Mr Jones to demonstrate the problems which are being experienced. In addition the Forum would welcome the prosecution of young people who were attempting to use cards fraudulently. The Forum members expressed appreciated for Mr Jones’ full report and agreed to invite him to their next meeting for further discussion on this subject.
5. Challenge 25
Following on from the previous item, the Forum discussed the introduction of the Challenge 25 Scheme on 1 October 2011 in terms of which if people are considered to be under the age of 25 they are asked about their age. Some Members felt that it would be appropriate to attempt to raise awareness about the possibility of committing an offence if the policy is breached and that it might be worth finding out from other Licensing Forums whether the same issues are being experienced elsewhere.
6. Licensing Standards Officer Report – Ian Cox
There had been circulated a report prepared by Ian Cox. The report detailed the reallocation of work among the remaining three LSOs following the departure of David MacPherson, issues which have arisen during visits to Licensed Premises by LSOs, changes introduced by new legislation and difficulties presented where businesses change hands without licences being transferred. The Forum members noted the terms of the report.
In relation to large scale events, particularly music festivals planned in the Highlands, the Forum noted that a suite of local conditions had been used and was found to have worked well. It was noted that for such events Multi-agency Partnerships have formed a Welfare Group. David Inglis commented that he had compiled a list of suggested maximum permitted hours for Agricultural Shows and other large events and that the Board may start setting thresholds for Licensing hours for such events. The Forum noted that if a policy were to be formed there would be consultation process. Suzy Calder and Dr Somerville intimated that they were trying to arrange a meeting with Donald Somerville, Clerk to the Board to discuss the Alcohol and Drugs Programme so that they could engage with the Board and let it know about the aims of the ADPs.
Ramsay McGhee raised the following issues:
Signage for under 25s – Ian Cox reported that there is nothing prescriptive on this matter in the legislation, although licensees would be well advised to erect signs showing that a Challenge 25 Policy is in force;
Social Responsibility Tax – it was noted that this had not been discussed by the Highland Board yet. Fiona Sinclair explained that this is a matter for Highland Council rather than the Board.
7. Forum Membership
The forum agreed to invite the two most recent applicants, Gordon Clelland and Graham Cross to join the Forum, both gentlemen being personal licence holders.
8. Any Other Business
Suzy Calder offered to circulate copies of a Presentation on Dealing with Alcohol Issues. It was also noted that Mr David Bell would be retiring from his position as Consultant and therefore would also be retiring from the Forum within the next two months.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
It was noted that the Licensing Standard Officers had been putting together 15 questions which would go on to the website under the title Frequently Asked Questions and be regularly updated. Mrs Sinclair intimated that she had omitted to circulate the draft Frequently Asked Questions and it was agreed that she would circulate the draft when the Minute of the Meeting was circulated.
10 Date of next meeting
It was agreed that an approach would be made to the Clerk to the Board to try to arrange a Joint Meeting of the Forum and the Board during the month of June.
The Meeting closed at 4.05pm.