Agendas, reports and minutes

• Agenda
  
  

Minutes of Meeting held in Mowat Room, Assembly Rooms, Wick onTuesday 21st June, 2005

Present:

In attendance:

Mrs. Fiona Sinclair, Depute Clerk to the Licensing Board
Acting Inspector Graham Chalmers, Northern Constabulary
Mr. Alf Gunn, Principal Environmental Health Officer

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillors Fernie, Jackson, MacNab and Saxon.

2. Confirmation of Minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Licensing Board held on 15^th March, 2005, copies of which had been circulated, were held as read and were unanimously approved.

3. Caithness Licensing Forum

The Depute Clerk explained that when the Licensing (Scotland) Bill becomes law each Council must establish a Local Licensing Forum for their area to provide a platform for discussion of licensing issues. However, where as in the Highlands the Council area is divided into licensing divisions, the Council may establish separate Forums for each area. Although the Licensing Bill is not yet law, there is no reason why a Forum should not be set up now.Mrs. Sinclair explained the purpose of the Forum as follows:

(a) to keep under review -
(i) the operation of the licensing legislation in the Forum's area, and
(ii) the exercise by the relevant Licensing Board of Boards of their functions.(b) to give such advice and make such recommendations to the Board in relation to the matters the Forum considers appropriate. Currently, it is envisaged that such matters as the Board's policy on late night hours, and the prevention of late night disorder would be relevant matters for the Forum to consider.

It was stressed that the Forum will not review, give advice or make recommendations in relation to the exercise of the Board's functions in any particular case.

When the Licensing Bill becomes law, a statement of licensing policy for the area will have to be prepared, and there will be a requirement to consult the Forum on that. There will also be a requirement for the Licensing Board to meet with the Forum annually.The statutory requirement is for membership to include:
holders of licences
the Chief Constable
persons having functions in relation to health, education and social work
young people
persons resident within the Forum's area

Mrs. Sinclair suggested that the Highland Licensing Board - Caithness agree to establish a Licensing Forum and that the membership would include:
two members from the licensed trade association
the Area Commander, Northern Constabulary or his representative
the Area Education Manager and Area Social Work Manager, or representatives nominated by them
two representatives from the Youth Forum and
two representatives from community councils to be nominated by the Association of Community Councils

The Board so agreed, and instructed Mrs. Sinclair to proceed to establish a Caithness Licensing Forum suggested by her. It was noted that the Council will provide the Forum with staff, property and services.

4. Applications for Renewal of Licences

Applications for the renewal of licences were submitted and granted in respect of the following:-

5. Applications for Permanent Transfer following Temporary Transfer of Licence

Applications for permanent transfer following temporary transfer of licences, were submitted and granted in respect of the following:-

6. Applications for the Regular Extension of Permitted HourS

Applications for the regular extension of permitted hours were submitted and granted in respect of the following:-

7. Application for the Grant of New Licence

An application for the provisional grant of licence was submitted in respect of the following:-

Mr. Ewan Thoms, Solicitor, appeared on behalf of the applicant who was unable to attend the meeting. The Committee had examined the plans. Mr. Thoms moved the grant of the application and explained that most of the internal work to the premises had been completed, although the planned extension had not yet been started. He said that he was unable to give any guarantees as to when the work would be completed, and said that the forthcoming prohibition on smoking in public places may have an impact on the proposed development. However, he stressed that it was still his client's intention to proceed with the work as proposed in the plans. The Board granted the application.

8. Applications for Gaming Machine Permits

Applications for gaming machine permits were submitted and granted in respect of the following:-