Issue - meetings

The Convener invited the Forum members to intimate any matters arising. During the discussion, it was noted that:-

·                a Street Pastors representative had now been progressed;

·                an action from last year’s Joint Licensing Board and Local Licensing Forum meeting was outstanding in relation to the Annual Functions Report;

·                the update for the Licensing Board in December 2022 had been circulated to the Forum;

·                an update had been submitted to the Licensing Board prior to the meeting on 7 February 2023 based on what was being discussed today;

·                the Convener was aware that creating links with other Forums around Scotland had not been progressed; and

·                the Convener raised concerns in relation to the lack of response received from the Licensing Board on questions that had been submitted from the Forum regarding the following three points,

1.         What is the timeline for the Consultation on the new Licensing Policy? (This is to allow the Forum time to finalise a submission prior to the deadline);

2.         What is being done to actively engage with the general community on the new Statement of Licensing Policy in order for them to provide their views?; and

3.         Would the Licensing Board be willing to hear the presentation from the Bon Accord Residential Association (BARA)?

The Forum resolved:-

(i)           to request that Elaine Mottram and JP McGivney complete the Annual Functions Report prior to July 2023;

(ii)          to note that there was general disappointment from the Forum regarding the lack of response received from the Licensing Board;

(iii)         to ensure that creating links with other Forums around Scotland would be progressed by Elaine Mottram; and

(iv)         to note that the Convener would be attending the next Licensing Board meeting on 7 February 2023 to answer any questions or to expand on any matters raised in relation to the Local Licensing Forum.