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REVIEW OF THE LICENSING PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN
THE CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982

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TASK GROUP SET UP TO REVIEW THE LICENSING PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982

Dear Consultee

REVIEW OF LICENSING PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982 — TASK GROUP REPORT

Following consideration of a report submitted by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Ministers determined that the licensing provisions contained in the 1982 Act should be reviewed and that a Task Group should be set up for this purpose. The 1982 Act contains provisions which requires or allows local authorities to license a number of activities such as taxis and private hire cars, street traders, window cleaners and sex shops. The licensing provisions were the first to apply throughout Scotland and were introduced following an extensive review of the various licensing practices previously adopted by individual local authorities.

The remit of the Task Group is "to re-examine the principles and mechanisms of licensing as they are set out in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and having done so, review the existing provisions and any proposals for change submitted to the Scottish Executive. In doing so, the Task Group will be required to ensure that the provisions are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and that they properly apply the principles of the Enforcement Concordat, which provides for fair, practical and consistent enforcement policy and practice".

The Task Group has concluded that before submitting its report to Ministers it wishes to consult with interested parties on its initial findings and seek views on a number of issues before finalising its recommendations. I am therefore enclosing a copy of the Task Group’s Consultation Paper, along with an Executive Summary for ease of reference.

If you have any comments on any aspect of the Report, it would be helpful if you could cross refer your comments with the relevant Chapter and reference number, and forward them, no later than 4 October 2002, to:

Task Group Secretariat
Scottish Executive
Finance & Central Services Department
Local Government Constitution and Governance Division
Area 3-H
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

Responses can also be faxed on 0131 244 7058, or sent by e-mail (please state clearly which Chapter(s) and reference number(s) you are commenting on) to Patrick.Down@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

Further copies of this letter, the Consultation Paper and Executive Summary are available from Patrick Down on 0131 244 7050 or via the Scottish Executive website www.scotland.gov.uk under ‘consultations’. Any general enquiries on the Report can also be made to Patrick or Alex Gibson on 0131 244 7042.

Please note that all responses submitted will be available to the public on request unless confidentiality is requested by the writer.

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours faithfully

LESLIE EVANS
Chair of the Task Group

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