Agenda and minutes

The Convener welcomed everyone to the Local Licensing Forum meeting and advised that she had recently met with Barry Stephen, who agreed to be a representative for Adult Social Work.

Apologies for absence were intimated by Steve McConnachie, Lucy Simpson and Barry Stephen.

The Forum resolved:-

(i)             to note that Barry Stephen would attend future meetings as a representative for Adult Social Work; and

(ii)            to note the apologies.

The Forum had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 22 August 2023, for approval.

The Forum resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Convener provided an update on the DRAFT Aim of the Forum and the DRAFT proposal for the Annual Functions Report, both of which were approved at the Joint Meeting.

The Forum heard from Sandy Munro, Solicitor who provided an update in relation to the Final Consultation on the Licensing Policy. He advised that only eight responses to the Online Consultation had been submitted, along with three e-mails.

The Convener raised concerns over the lack of engagement made with the community and requested that further consideration be given to make additional effort in the future, to encourage additional individuals to respond.

The Forum resolved:-

(i)       to note that the Annual Functions Report would be updated on an annual basis;

(ii)      to note that the Licensing Board were content with the recommendations made by the Local Licensing Forum in relation to how the Annual Functions Report could be considered more engaging, informative, and interesting, with the recommendations being incorporated into the next Annual Functions Report; and

(iii)      to note that the results of the Final Consultation on the Licensing Policy would be submitted to the next Licensing Board meeting for approval.

The Forum heard from Sergeant Neil Grant, who provided an overview in relation to his role within Police Scotland.

Sergeant Grant stated that an increase with underage drinking had been reported in and around Aberdeen’s City Centre which was becoming an issue, therefore his aim was to ensure that Licence holders continued to sell alcohol in the appropriate manner, to help protect children and to reduce and prevent violence and crime.

The Forum resolved:-

to thank Sergeant Grant for his presentation.

The Convener welcomed Dr Andrea Mohan from Dundee University to the meeting, alongside Professor Niamh Fitzgerald from Stirling University, who joined via Microsoft Teams. Both were currently working on the production of the ELEPHANT Study.

Dr Mohan advised the Forum that the aim of the ELEPHANT Study was to understand and evaluate the changes in trading hours within Aberdeen and Glasgow City Centre bars and clubs. Examples of this included,

·            to understand changes made at system and venue level;

·            to evaluate the impact of harm, including crime and ambulance callouts; and

·            to evaluate the economic cost of the ambulance callouts.

Professor Fitzgerald and Dr Mohan outlined some early indications from the study, advising that it was too early for any conclusions to be reached. It was hoped that the results of the study may be available in the first half of 2024.

The Convener advised that she had found the update from Dr Mohan and Professor Fitzgerald informative. She suggested that an additional meeting could be set up to allow further time to continue the discussion regarding the ELEPHANT Study.

The Forum resolved:-

(i)             to thank Dr Mohan and Professor Fitzgerald for attending the meeting; and

(ii)            to invite Dr Mohan and Professor Fitzgerald to a future Local Licensing Forum meeting to discuss the ELEPHANT Study further.

The Forum heard from John Mooney from NHS Grampian, who provided an update from the National Network meeting that he had attended.

The Forum resolved:-

to note that Mr Mooney would circulate the minute from the National Network meeting to the Forum.

The Convener requested volunteers to prepare information regarding their role for the next meeting, as part of the Presentation Programme.

The Forum resolved:-

to note that the Licensing Standard Officers had volunteered to present an overview of their role at the next meeting.

The Convener advised the Local Licensing Forum that the next meeting would be their Annual General Meeting, which would be held on 27 February 2024 at 2pm in Committee Room 2.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the details of the next meeting.

-                ­ELAINE MOTTRAM, Convener