Special meeting proposed to discuss midnight door entry policy

Link to agenda.

The Highland Licensing Board is being recommended to hold a special meeting on Monday 29 October to consider the responses received from a recent consultation on its door entry policy for premises with late night opening hours, which requires admission by midnight.

A report being presented to the Licensing Board on Tuesday (2 October) says the special meeting will allow more time for members to read and consider all responses and invite a number of parties from each of the “for/against” sides of the argument to make a presentation to the Board on their position. Members would have the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification and then reach a final decision.

The Board received a total of 54 responses from across the Highlands.  This included a “Banish the Inverness Curfew Campaign” petition endorsed by 2,011 people.

36 of the respondents thought that the policy of midnight admission should be removed.  13 wished the policy to remain in place.  This included Northern Constabulary, who say the existing policy has significantly reduced crime and disorder, public nuisance and enhanced public safety.

The Board invited representations by 14 September on whether the policy should continue and, if so, whether it should be extended throughout the Highlands.
Representations were welcomed on any aspect but the Board asked:

Councillor Maxine Smith, Chairman of the Licensing Board, said: "We now have all the evidence from the consultation, which we will consider in due course in the Licensing Board. We are proposing to invite objectors and those who wish to retain the current policy to a special meeing, as it is very important we give people a chance to show us how passionate they are about their side of the argument.  After this, we will debate the issue in public and reach a conclusion thereafter."