Part 8 of the Bill - Licensing under Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982
Part 8 of the Bill modernises licensing provisions within the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in line with the Task Group report's recommendations.
A Task Group was set up by the previous administration to review the licensing provisions contained in the 1982 Act. The Group reported in December 2004 and made a number of recommendations for reform. The then Scottish Executive responded to the report in August 2005 agreeing with the broad thrust of the recommendations, but indicated that those requiring primary legislation would be for a new administration to introduce following the 2007 elections, in light of competing priorities. We now consider it correct to take forward the relevant recommendations within this Bill.
The Task Group report's recommendations cover the general licensing provisions of the 1982 Act, and include specific provisions on metal dealers, market operators, public entertainment and late hours catering, taxis and private hire cars. The amendments to the 1982 Act are largely of a technical nature (affecting procedural aspects of the current licensing regime generally), though they also include some measures aimed at specific activities - the main amendments are listed below. The aim of the amendments is to make the 1982 Act licensing provisions fit for the 21st century in line with the Task Group report's recommendations.