Law and licensing news

• Highland Licensing Board consults on liquor licensing policy statement

  Published on 30 Jun 2023

  The Highland Licensing Board has begun consultation on its next Statement of Licensing Policy for the period November 2023 to November 2028.

• Chance to have your say on the Short Term Lets Licensing Scheme for The Highland Council area

  Published on 14 Jul 2022

  The Highland Council is currently consulting local communities, businesses and the public on their draft policy statement relative to the new mandatory short term let licensing scheme

• Public opinion sought on Draft Gambling Policy Statement

  Published on 14 Sep 2021

  Members of the public are being invited to comment on a Draft Gambling Policy Statement for the coming years 2022-25.

• Fees set for the licensing of activities involving animals

  Published on 31 Aug 2021

  New legislation comes into force from 1 September 2021 which will affect people who run certain activities in the Highlands concerned with animals.

• Public views sought on licensing of sexual entertainment venues in Highland

  Published on 18 Aug 2021

  The Highland Council is seeking the public’s views on the potential licensing of sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in Highland.

• Public views sought for taxi fare review in Highland

  Published on 22 Jun 2021

  Public is asked for views on proposals by Council to review maximum level of charges for hire of taxis or private hire cars fitted with taxi meters operating under licence of The Highland Council.

• Highland Council Trading Standards take local man to court over counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco seizure

  Published on 7 Dec 2020

  Wick Sheriff Court has granted a court order against local Thurso man Mr Thomas Russell. 

• New licence fees for residential caravan sites in Highland

  Published on 25 Nov 2020

  New licence fees for residential caravan sites in Highland

• Public views sought for taxi fare review in Highland

  Published on 4 Dec 2019

  The public is being asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to review the maximum level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hire cars fitted with taxi meters.

• Theatre Licensing consultation

  Published on 13 Aug 2019

  Highland Council is considering whether to include theatres within its public entertainment licensing regime when the Theatres Act 1968 is no longer in force and seeks public and stakeholders opinion.

• Joint taxi operation held with Trading Standards in Fort William 

  Published on 24 Jul 2019

  More than 25 taxis were stopped and checked in Fort William during a joint operation by Police Scotland and the Highland Council Trading Standards on Tuesday, 23 July.

• Highland schools and Police call on people to share information on suspected anti-social, alcohol and drug activity

  Published on 3 Jun 2019

  Highland Council secondary schools in the Mid Highland area and Police Scotland are writing to parents and carers urging them to share any concerns or information related to possible anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug activity in their areas.

• ​​​​​​​Council warning over illegally imported puppies

  Published on 15 May 2019

  The Highland Council is warning anyone considering buying a puppy to ensure they buy from reputable sources.

• Highland Licensing Board’s supplementary policy statement on extended hours

  Published on 4 Feb 2019

  Highland Licensing Board’s supplementary policy statement on extended hours during the festive period has now gone live.

• Proposed changes to Christmas and New Year extended opening at licensed premises

  Published on 7 Nov 2018

  The Highland Licensing Board is consulting on proposed changes to extended opening hours at pubs, restaurants and clubs in Highland over the Christmas and New Year period from 2019 onwards. 

• Councillors Scrutinise Local Policing Plan

  Published on 28 Jun 2018

  Highland Councillors today (28 June 2018) warmly welcomed the Annual Performance report from Police Scotland against the Local Policing Plan. 

• Highland Council welcomes creation of NDEU in Inverness

  Published on 1 May 2018

  The Deputy Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Alasdair Christie has welcomed the creation of the Police Scotland National Database Enquiry Unit (NDEU) in Inverness.

• Street Traders licence condition 8 to be removed

  Published on 27 Mar 2018

  he Highland Licensing Committee has considered a report in relation to street traders licence condition 8 and agreed to remove this condition from its standard licence conditions. 

• No action on number of taxis and private hire cars in Highland

  Published on 27 Mar 2018

  The Highland Licensing Committee agreed on 27 March 2018 to take no action towards introducing restrictions on the number of taxis and private hire cars (PHC) licensed to operate in Highland.

• Appeal for information following suspicious behaviour - Inverness 

  Published on 16 Nov 2017

  Appeal for information following suspicious behaviour - Inverness 

• Online register introduced for animal establishment licensing

  Published on 8 Nov 2017

  The Highland Council have reviewed and updated the administrative procedures around miscellaneous and animal establishment licensing making it easier for people to access information and provide feedback. 

• Stronger penalties for people sharing intimate images

  Published on 4 Jul 2017

  Prosecuting people who share or threaten to share intimate images without consent will be easier under a new law which comes into force this month.

• Remember, remember to Licence for 5th November

  Published on 5 Jun 2017

  The Highland Council is urging all organisers of community fireworks events that they will need to get their public entertainment licence application submitted soon to the Council if they wish to have a licence in place for Bonfire Night.

• Highland Licensing Board to provide sessions on protecting children

  Published on 19 Dec 2016

  Highland Child Protection Committee is working with the night time economy to prevent, report and disrupt any signs of Child Sexual Exploitation in Highland.

• “Right To Licence” checks for taxi and private hire car drivers

  Published on 4 Nov 2016

  1 December 2016, we will be unable to grant a taxi driver or private hire car (PHC) driver licence to any person unless new national additional checks have been made

• Have your say on Council’s policy statement on Gambling Act

  Published on 4 Oct 2016

  The Highland Licensing Board (HLB) is now consulting on a proposed draft of its next Statement of Policy under the Gambling Act 2005

• Council highlights changes to Public Entertainment Licences

  Published on 15 Sep 2016

  The Highland Licensing Committee has agreed changes to the activities which are required to have a public entertainment licence

• Public Entertainment – Extension of Licensing Resolution

  Published on 17 Mar 2016

  The Highland Licensing Committee has agreed to vary its existing resolution relating to the activities which are licensed under public entertainment.

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  Forum spreads festive message that Highland licensed premises are ‘safe drinking environments’.

  Published on 2 Dec 2015

  ‘Enjoy a safe festive night out in Highland Licensed Premises thanks to an overhaul of the alcohol licensing system’ states the Highland Licensing Forum.

• Licensing of public entertainment activities

  Published on 18 Nov 2015

  The Highland Council is inviting the public to submit written representations to the Council about proposed changes to public entertainment licensing activities.

• Festive Period dates for extended on-sales hours applications

  Published on 16 Oct 2015

  Premises licence holders are advised that The Highland Licensing Board has agreed upon dates over the festive period 2015/16 between which extended on-sales hours may be permitted.

• Response to Call for Evidence on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

  Published on 4 Sep 2015

  Highland Council has agreed its response to the call for evidence on the UK and Scottish Governments’ proposals on the devolution of powers relating to Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

• Rules on applying for a new personal licence changed

  Published on 13 Aug 2015

  The Highland Licensing Board is advising people who have had their personal licences revoked that rules have changed and they may now be able to reapply.

• Highland Licensing Board agrees response to betting consultation

  Published on 11 Aug 2015

  The Highland Licensing Board met today to consider their response to the call for evidence on the UK and Scottish Governments’ proposals on the devolution of powers relating to Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

• New taxi tariff structure agreed

  Published on 11 Aug 2015

  At today’s (Tuesday 11 August) meeting of the Highland Licensing Committee, a new taxi tariff structure, which will be applied from September 2015, was agreed.

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  Beware of hoax lottery scam warns Highland Council Trading Standards

  Published on 13 Jul 2015

  A letter sent to residents across Highland claiming they have won a 'postcode lottery' is a scam.

• Trading Standards and Citizens Advice launch new anti-scams initiative

  Published on 6 Jul 2015

  July is Scams Awareness Month and The Highland Council’s Trading Standards team is joining forces with Citizens Advice Bureaux to warn consumers about the risks of being caught out.

• New policy for extended opening hours for special events approved by Board

  Published on 18 Jun 2015

  At its meeting on 16 June 2015, the Highland Licensing Board approved the final terms of its Supplementary Licensing Policy Statement on Extended Hours for Special Events of Local or National Significance.

• Outcome of Highland Licensing Committee hearing

  Published on 25 Sep 2014

  After a hearing of the Highland Licensing Committee held today (Thursday 25 September) licensed taxi driver Raymond Paterson of Inverness has had his taxi driver’s licence suspended with immediate effect for its un-expired portion.

• Licensing Board concern at poor compliance on refresher training

  Published on 12 Aug 2014

  Members of The Highland Council’s Licensing Board were today (12 August 2104) informed that a very large number of Personal Licence holders have still to notify the Board that they have undertaken refresher training which is required if they are to retain their Licence.

• Council encourages retailers to get ready for Carrier Bag Charges

  Published on 22 Jul 2014

  The Highland Council are encouraging retailers throughout the Highlands to get ready for the 20th October when retailers will be required to make a minimum 5p charge for all single use bags.

• Highland Council Trading Standards launch doorstep and distance selling business advice survey

  Published on 22 Jul 2014

  New rules that apply to business activities in an off-premises contract, such online sales, mail order, telephone sales and agreements made in a consumer’s home came into force on 13th June 2014.

• Local rogue builder to appear on BBC How Safe is Your House?

  Published on 8 Jul 2014

  A local Highland builder is to appear in a new BBC rogue trader consumer programme entitled “How Safe is Your House?”

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  Seized power tools destroyed

  Published on 25 Jun 2014

  Twenty-five pieces of equipment, including chainsaws, generators and power washers, originally seized by Police from a group of itinerant traders, and that were subsequently found by Highland Council Trading Standards to fail to meet safety standards, are to be destroyed.

• Licensing committee confirms new taxi tariffs

  Published on 3 Apr 2014

  The Highland Licensing Committee has confirmed taxi fare increases that will take effect from Monday 26 May, This will see the cost of all fares, regardless of the distance travelled, increase by 30p.

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