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1.
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Appointment of Convener and Vice Convener
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The Forum agreed to
appoint Sandy Kelman to the position of Convener. The decision
about the Vice Convener position was delayed until the next meeting
when a representative of the licensed trade would be in attendance.
It was hoped that the position of Vice Convener would ideally be
filled by a member of the licenced trade, although it was noted
that this would require one of the current co-optees representing
that group to become a substantive member.
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1.
Sandy Kelman appointed as
Convener;
2.
Appointment of Vice Convener deferred until next
meeting when it is hoped that a member of the Licensed Trade can be
in attendance and appointed to this position.
3.
Clerk to email licensed trade reps to convey this
decision and invite a representative of the licensed trade to
become a substantive member of the Forum (see item 4.2 below) and
to take up the position of Vice Convener.
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Clerk to the Forum
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2.
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Minutes of Meetings of
11 September and 5 November 2013
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Minutes
approved.
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3.
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Matters
Arising
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None.
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No matters were raised
under this agenda item at the meeting.
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4.1
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Vacancy
– Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)
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The Forum was asked to consider whether it wished
another representative of SFRS to join the Forum. The Convener
advised that he had a scheduled meeting with Duncan Smith to
discuss links between the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and SFRS,
and would take that opportunity to raise the matter.
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Agreed that the
position should be retained by SFRS, and that it would be for SFRS
to confirm who would represent them at the Forum.
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1.
Sandy Kelman to discuss the matter with Duncan
Smith.
2.
Clerk to the Forum to write to SFRS.
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4.2
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Representative of
Licensed Trade – for discussion
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The Forum noted that
there was currently no substantive member representing the licensed
trade. It was noted that their representation on the Forum was a
statutory requirement.
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Agreed that the Clerk
would write to the current co-optees representing licensed trade
and ask them to nominate someone to become a substantive
member.
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Clerk to the Forum
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4.3
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Youth
Representative
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The Forum was advised
that Struan King, Chair of the Aberdeen City Youth Council, had
indicated his interest in being the youth representative on the
Forum, and that there had been no response from the former RGU
representative regarding his membership on the Forum.
Clerk to the Forum
also provided an update on the progress made in contacting the
Aberdeen Street Pastors to offer them a place as a co-optee on the
Forum, that the organisation was to discuss it at a meeting that
week.
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To confirm Struan King the Forum Member
representing youth and that
the clerk would advise him of the
decision.
That a representative of the Street Pastors
be accepted as a co-optee.
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Clerk to the Forum to advise
both
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5.
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Statement of Licensing
Policy – Decision of Licensing Board
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The Forum had before
it the agenda for the Licensing Board of 26th November,
2013, at which meeting the Statement of Licensing Policy had been
agreed, with reference to the consultation responses submitted.
There was discussion surrounding particular items of the Statement
of Licensing Policy, particularly whether the Board had accepted
Forum recommendations or not. It was felt that it would be helpful
to receive a breakdown of the items accepted and rejected by the
Board, and the reasons for rejection where appropriate.
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1.
That links to Licensing Board
agendas be placed on future Forum agendas;
2.
That the Clerk would write to
Eric Anderson, Clerk to the Licensing Board, asking him to provide
a commentary on all of the Forum recommendations, indicating if
they were accepted or not, and if not, why not.
3.
That the Clerk would seek
information from other Local Licensing Forums about how they
monitor their Licensing Boards.
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Clerk to the Forum
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6.
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Spikes in Trends with
Alcohol – Police Scotland
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Sergeant Gill Flett
outlined a recent practice within certain night clubs in Aberdeen
known as “bottle packages”. This involves booths and
tables being made available for exclusive use by customers in
exchange for minimum spend on a drinks package. The result is that
excessive amounts of alcohol are being sold to customers, placing
them and others at risk. Sergeant Flett advised that Police
Scotland are working closely with (unnamed) the venue in question
which was co-operating with their requirements, and it was noted
that sales of this nature had been suspended until the club policy
had been redrafted to the satisfaction of the police. The Forum discussed measures which would prevent
any recurrence of this practice, such as appropriate signage. There
was also discussion on the importance of suitable evidence of the
adverse effects on customer health should venues offering such
promotions ever be taken to review hearing.
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That Police Scotland would provide updates
as appropriate at future meetings.
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Inspector Jim Hume / Sergeant
Gill Flett
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7.
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Submission to
Licensing Board on Review Hearings – Police
Scotland
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The Forum was reminded
of the outstanding issue here, that the Forum had written to the
Clerk to the Licensing Board in February 2013 on the matter of two
recent review hearings which had been subject to appeal. The Forum
had asked the Clerk to the Board to advise what steps were being
taken to learn lessons to safeguard the Board’s position in
the event of future challenges. The Forum had considered this
response and agreed to discuss the matter at its next meeting with
the Board. The matter had then been raised at the joint meeting on
27th June and the Clerk had provided a further verbal
response. The Forum had then agreed to
discuss the matter at its next meeting to determine whether the
responses had provided a sufficient response.
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That the responses
provided by the Clerk to the Board were sufficient and that no
further action was required. The item was therefore to be deleted
from the Progress Statement.
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Clerk to the Forum
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8.
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Training Programme In
2014 -Discussion
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The Forum discussed a
training programme for 2014, focusing on areas of priority and who
could deliver them. With regard to the suggestion made at the
meeting on 11th September, that George Wyatt would
request Gerrard Rattray to attend a meeting and provide some
training on personal licenses, the Forum was advised that there was
no update.
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That a programme for
2014 be agreed as follows -
February –
Health (Fraser Hoggan/Linda Smith)
April –
Legislation (Emily/Tara/Diane/someone from licensing
team)
Meetings later in the
year – Samaritans/Social Work/Police Scotland – further
thought around these is required.
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All Members of
Forum.
Clerk to the Forum to speak to
Clerk to the Board about getting an input from a member of his team
on the legislative elements.
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9.
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Chief
Constable’s Report to Aberdeen City Licensing Board for the
period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 – for
discussion
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This was covered under
item 11.1 at the request of the Convener.
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None.
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10.
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Progress
Statement
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The Clerk to
the Forum updated the Forum Members about the work that had been
done on the progress statement and the actions arising from it. The
Forum Members agreed that they were happy with the new format of
the progress statement, which would track actions agreed and
updates on these actions at each meeting. It was discussed and then
agreed which progress statement actions had been completed and
which needed further work.
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1.
That items 1, 2, 11 be deleted.
2.
That feedback be sought Karen Riddoch on progress
made with engaging community councils, particularly the Community
Councils Forum.
3.
That a written update be sought from Bob Westland on
the issues around door supervisors, and from there that the Forum
determine whether further information from the Board/a meeting of
the Door Supervisors Working Group is needed.
4.
That the web pages for the Forum be further
developed to include information on the aims of the Forum, and to
seek feedback from the public on the issues that affect
them.
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Clerk to the Forum
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11.1
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Licensing Objective 1:
Preventing Crime and Disorder -Update
from Police Scotland
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Sergeant Gill Flett
provided the following update on behalf
of Police Scotland for the period August to October:-
Common Assaults in
Licensed Premises –
August –
21
September –
27
October –
24
Common Assaults
between 3.00 and 5.00am –
August –
9
September –
12
October –
9
Serious Assaults
between 3.00 and 5.00am –
August –
0
September –
2
October –
2
Identify document
incidents –
August –
15
September –
15
October -
22
The Forum discussed
“early morning” assaults and the intentions of Police
Scotland to seek more robust intelligence to inform approaches to
crime reduction.
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Noted.
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11.2
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LO 2: Securing Public
Health – Update from LSO
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Tara-Erin Gilchrist,
LSO, provided the update in Diane Sande’s absence. The Forum
was informed that both LSOs had undertaken night visits on
7th and 8th December to community premises
selling alcohol to the public, as well as within the city centre.
Both LSOs were concerned that they came across a number of
establishments that had people serving alcohol who had not done
their two hour essential training. The LSOs had also been in
attendance at the Licensing Board the previous day. They informed
the Forum that out of all of the applications before the Licensing
Board two applications had been rejected and one had been granted
but conditions set. All of the other applications were
granted/varied. Tara-Erin advised the Forum that starting from next
year the whole of Aberdeen would be split between the two LSOs and
they would get one overprovision area each. It was the intention of the LSOs to focus on
off-sales in the community areas next year.
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Noted.
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11.3
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LO 3: Preventing
Public Nuisance - Update from Unight Representatvie
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No update was provided
as there was no Unight representative in attendance at the
meeting.
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None.
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11.4
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LO 4: Preventing and
improving Public Health - Update from NHS and ADP
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Linda Smith advised
the Forum that she, along with a representative of the Public
Health Directorate, had attended the Licensing Board the previous
day as an observer. Public Health were working towards the
implementation of a process to allow them to respond to
applications before the Board, and the Board Convener, Councillor
Boulton, had indicated that she was keen to receive this input.
This would hopefully assist in the areas of
overprovision.
The Convener provided
performance information from the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership as
follows:-
·
In quarter 2 of 2013/14, 231 people treated at a
designated place of safety, with 369 referrals to the Integrated
Alcohol Services. 100% had been seen within 21 days.
·
The ADP was retendering on third sector alcohol
services in the city and this would run from April.
·
Workforce development training programme had been
busy.
·
Best Bar None Awards on 27th August, 20
gold awards, 11 silver and 6 bronze.
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None.
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11.5
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LO 5: Protecting
Children from Harm -
Update from
Children’s Services Representative
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No discussion as Dave
Bliss had left the meeting by this stage.
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None.
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12.
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AOCB
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The Convener made some
closing remarks to bring the meeting to an end and invited any
other competent business.
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1.
Forum to write to Shelly Nichols, thanking her for
her work at Forum meetings and wishing her all the best with the
birth of her baby;
2.
The Convener thanked Vikki Cuthbert and Dmitry Gavin
for their work throughout the year.
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Clerk to the Forum
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13.
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Dates for
2014
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The following proposed
meeting dates were approved at the meeting.
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Approved as follows
–
12th
February
23rd April
18th June
17th
September
19th
November
Rooms to be booked in
the Town House and this to be circulated to the Forum.
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Clerk to the Forum
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