New Sounding Board For Licensing Issues

A new sounding board is to be established in Inverness to assist the local licensing board with policy making.

The Inverness Division of the Highland Licensing Board announced the formation of a Local Licensing Forum at its meeting today (Tuesday).

The Forum will consist of representatives from Police, Fire, Education, Social Work, all sectors of the Licensed Trade and the Highland Drugs and Alcohol Action Team. The Forum will also include a young person’s representative.

The first meeting is scheduled for August when the Inverness Division’s Late Hours Policy will come under scrutiny.

Inverness Licensing Division Chairman, Councillor Peter Corbett, said: "Whilst in the past, we were ready to consult with interested parties on our policies there was nothing in place to ensure a continuous mechanism for consultation. The forum will provide an important sounding board for the Licensing Board. I am delighted that the voice of young people will be heard on the forum as they have much to contribute to the issues we will be discussing. "