Agendas, reports and minutes

Minute of the meeting of the Highland Licensing Committee held in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Friday 12 January 2018 at 10.00am.

Present:

Dr I Cockburn, Mrs J Barclay, Mr G Cruickshank, Mrs E Knox, Mrs L MacDonald,   Mr W Mackay, Mr D Macpherson, Mrs P Munro and Mr C Smith.

In attendance:

Ms S Blease, Principal Solicitor (Regulatory Services)
Miss C McArthur, Solicitor (Regulatory Services)
Ms A Macrae, Committee Administrator

Also attending:

Sergeant D Campbell, Police Scotland
PC J Williamson, Police Scotland

The Chairman confirmed that the meeting would be webcast and gave a short briefing on the Council’s webcasting procedure and protocol.

Business

1.  Apologies for absence
Leisgeulan

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Mr K Rosie.

2.  Declarations of interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

There were no declarations of interest.

3.  Confirmation of minutes
Dearbhadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There had been submitted for confirmation as a correct record the minute of meeting of the Committee held on 5 December 2017 which was APPROVED.

4.  Licences granted under delegated powers                              
Ceadachdan a bhuilicheadh fo ùghdarras air a thiomnadh

There had been circulated Report No HLC/001/18 by the Principal Solicitor which detailed all Licences which had been granted under delegated powers under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in the period from 23 November 2017 to 12 December 2017.

The Committee NOTED the report.

5.   Pending applications – 3 monthly considerations                      
Iarrtasan ri thighinn – beachdachaidhean 3 mìosach

There had been circulated Report No HLC/002/18 by the Principal Solicitor relating to applications which were currently pending for the grant or renewal of licences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

The Committee AGREED to defer the determination of the applications, either to:

(a) allow them to be approved under delegated powers in the event that no objections/representations are received and all outstanding documentation has been received from the applicants; or

(b) a future meeting of the Committee when the applications will be determined in terms of the Hearings Procedure.

6.  Response to Scottish Government consultation on guidance on licensing of sexual entertainment venues and changes to licensing of theatres
Freagairt do cho-chomhairle Riaghaltas na h-Alba mu stiùireadh air ceadachd airson aitreabhan cur-seachad cleamhnasach agus atharrachaidhean do cheadachd thaighean-cluiche 

There had been circulated Report No HLC/003/18 by the Principal Solicitor inviting the Committee to consider the draft guidance produced by Scottish Government on the licensing of sexual entertainment venues and changes to licensing of theatres, to approve the attached draft consultation response, and to reconsider arrangements for the licensing of premises used for the performance of plays.

In response to a question, the Principal Solicitor advised that if the Committee ultimately resolved to licence sexual entertainment then a premises that sold alcohol and offered sexual entertainment would require both a liquor licence and a sexual entertainment licence under the separate licensing regimes.   

Thereafter, the Committee APPROVED:- (1) the draft consultation response at Appendix 2 of the Report and (2) the arrangements for the licensing of premises used for the performance of plays.

7.  The Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

8.  Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982
Applications for private hire car driver’s / operator’s licence
 Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982                                      
Iarrtasan airson ceadachdan do dhràibhearan / oibrichean chàraichean airson fastadh prìobhaideach

8.1 Application for private hire car driver’s licence – James Cruickshank

There had been circulated to members only Report No HLC/004/18 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which had been received from James Cruickshank for a private hire car driver’s licence (Badenoch and Strathspey Ward).

Mr J Cruickshank, applicant spoke in support of his application.

The Committee AGREED to GRANT the application subject to the standard conditions.

9.  Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982
Applications for taxi driver’s / operator’s licences                   
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982
Iarrtasan airson cheadachdan do dhràibhearan / oibrichean tagsaidh

9.1 Application for the grant of a taxi driver’s licence – Ronald Cook

There had been circulated to members only Report No HLC/005/18 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Ronald Cook for the grant of a taxi driver’s licence (Badenoch and Strathspey Ward).

The Principal Solicitor explained the circumstances by which the applicant had been delayed and was not present at the hearing.

The Committee AGREED to defer consideration of the application until the next meeting of the Committee on 6 February 2018.

The meeting closed at 10.23am.