Issue - meetings

The Joint Meeting noted the challenges faced by the Board with the introduction of the new Policy which had already been discussed.  Sandy Kelman noted that capacity figures are to be used for over provision purposes only.  He commented that perhaps the amount of shelf space should be used as a measure for overprovision.

Sandy Kelman felt that it would be helpful if a list detailing the capacity of all the off-sale premises in the Board’s area could be supplied to the NHS and the Forum

The Joint Meeting resolved:-

that Officers provide a list of off sale capacities to the NHS and Forum.

The Joint Meeting noted the challenges which had already been discussed, and Councillor Boulton reiterated that the main challenge for the Board was not to undermine the Policy with its decision-making.  She asked that the Forum allow time for the Policy to bed in, highlighting that it was a new document and that it worked in a different way to the previous Policy.  She added that it was important for there to be trust between the Board, the licensed trade and the consultees.  Councillor Townson added that the Board found it a challenge when solicitors interpreted the policy in a certain way which did not correspond with the Board’s view.