This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Crackdown on rogue off licences
02/09/2003
Tougher measures to prevent off-licences becoming the
focus of drunken anti-social behaviour are being
considered, it was announced today.
First Minister Jack McConnell has set up an urgent
review on the regulation of off-licences, building on the
recommendations of the recently published
Nicholson report.
He wants the review to focus on ways of improving
community consultation before licenses are granted as well
as ways of helping prevent off-licenses becoming the focus
of anti-social behaviour.
Announcing the review Mr McConnell said:
"Over the summer my colleagues and I have been listening
to the people of Scotland and their concerns about
anti-social behaviour. One of the issues to emerge was the
extent of abusive, sometimes violent behaviour that occurs
in and around off-licenses. Also there are very real
concerns about under-age drinking that so often fuels
anti-social behaviour.
"Too often these off-licenses are in the middle of
neighbourhoods where there is a large concentration of
young families and pensioners. Decent, hard-working
families and our elderly people must be allowed to live in
peace and security, and their views must be heard before
any decision is made on granting off-licences.
"Sheriff Principal Nicholson's recommendations provide
us with a much tighter framework for licensed promises like
corner shops and off-licences. But he quite deliberately
left it to the Executive to set out detailed proposals for
tougher enforcement - and that is what we will do.
"I do not wish to pre-empt the review, but shorter
opening hours and a ban on trading while an appeal is being
considered may be some of the ways we can tighten up on
off-licenses.
"I am also concerned about reports that there are too
many off-licences being granted in some towns and
communities."
A short-life working group has been set up to carry out
the review. It will be chaired by Peter Daniels, Chief
Executive of East Renfrewshire Council, and will report to
ministers in December.
Research suggests that nearly half of all 15 year olds
have purchased alcohol illegally in the past year - with
small licensed grocers and corner shops the most common
sources.
The review group is expected to comprise key
stakeholders including representatives of the enforcement
authorities and the trade. A full membership will be
confirmed shortly.
The remit for the group:
In light of the evidence from Sheriff Principal
Nicholson's
Review of the Liquor Licensing Law, and from
consultation on the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, to consider
the issues surrounding the regulation of off-licences and
to make recommendations to Ministers on:
- the scope for better engagement and consultation at
community level on the grant of licences
- management and enforcement mechanisms which will
help to prevent off-licences becoming a focus of
anti-social behaviour
The Executive is currently consulting on the 90
recommendations of the Nicholson Committee on Scotland's
licensing laws (published in August). This initial
consultation will run to Christmas 2003.
The First Minister visited Livingston on Monday night (1
September 2003) to gain an insight into the problems the
police and communities face in dealing with anti-social
behaviour and drink-related problems. His visit included
meeting community police officers on the beat in Dedridge
and Ladywell. Photographs of the visit have been sent to
all picture desks.