This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Thumbs up to licensing overhaul
05/11/2004
An analysis of responses to the consultation on changes
to the licensing laws has found a high level of support for
the Executive's proposed approach.
The report, published today, summarises the 123 written
responses received from licensing boards, social work and
substance advice bodies, alcohol retailers and producers,
members' clubs, student organisations, and individuals.
The proposed changes include:
- A clear national licensing
framework - with standard national licence conditions
for a number of key areas (specifically, no-proof
no-sale, access by children to licensed premises and
irresponsible promotions) and the establishment of a
national licensing forum
- The development of standard
national licence conditions for, e.g., late opening
premises and the provision of adult entertainment
- There was general agreement
against 24-hour opening
- A Scotland-wide approach to
addressing the issue of irresponsible drinks promotions
with national definitions, actions and publicity
- An opt-in system for licensed
premises to allow children entry to pubs and
restaurants
The consultation also sought views on proposed changes
to the licensing boards, monitoring and compliance
mechanisms, and training requirements for staff serving
alcohol.
Deputy Public Service Reform Minister Tavish Scott
said:
"I am pleased to see that we have such a clear consensus
on how we move forward and overhaul Scotland's licensing
laws. We want to create a licensing system that supports
our efforts to improve the nation's health and help break
the link between excessive drinking and crime.
"I am particularly encouraged that a majority of
respondents support our proposal to take national action to
outlaw irresponsible drinks promotions which can lead to
completely unacceptable binge drinking and violence and to
our proposals to tackle under age drinking.
"I recognise that the vast majority of Scots are able to
drink responsibly in a sensible and safe way.
"However in putting forward proposals for a modern
system we need to look to the longer term and to the type
of Scotland we all want to live in.
"That is a Scotland that puts tackling irresponsible
attitudes to alcohol and the misery it can cause at the top
of our agenda for the future."
In August 2003, the Nicholson Committee published the
findings of its extensive review of liquor licensing,
including 90 specific recommendations for reform.
Views on the Committee's report were sought through a
written consultation and an analysis of the 161 responses
was published in March 2004.
A Working Group on Off-Sales in the Community was also
established which submitted a report, with 30
recommendation, in February 2004.
In May 2004, the Executive established
an Expert Reference Group and launched a further phase of
written consultation on proposals in
The Licensing (Scotland) Bill: A Consultation on Liquor
Licensing, which set proposals on the Nicholson
Committee's key recommendations.
The consultation respondents were:
licensing boards (29)
Drug and Alcohol Action
Teams (DAAT)
substance misuse bodies
(17)
alcohol sales (16)
members' clubs and student
organisations (15)
individuals (14)
health and social work
bodies (6)
local authorities (6)
alcohol producers (5)
community/religious/youth
organisations (4)
statutory bodies (3)
other groups (8)