Agenda item

Susan Walker to report.   (Copy attached).

4.1       There had been circulated the results of a Scottish Borders Local Licensing Forum Survey which had been produced by ADP Development Officer and Forum member, Susan Walker.  The Forum had agreed at the meeting on 27 January 2015  to carry out a self-assessment questionnaire to help identify any development needs.  Each member of the Forum was asked to complete the survey online to help identify how they felt the Forum was currently performing and where more information and support would enable the Forum to function better.  A total of 8 responses were received which was a 50% response rate and the majority were from those who had been members for over 2 years. The report collated the responses and was being presented to the Forum to enable members to reflect on these and to identify areas for improvement and action.  With regard to communication with members of the community, respondents were unclear about whether members of the community were aware of the Forum and its role.  Comments from the community were not actively sought although respondents highlighted various previous attempts to do this via website, articles in local media, local conference and community council attendance.  The majority of respondents felt that the Forum was effective in communicating with the Licensing Board, the joint meeting between the Licensing Board and Forum being highlighted as a helpful process to inform each other of work undertaken in the previous year. With regard to training needs the majority of respondents felt they had sufficient knowledge, understanding and experience of current licensing law and alcohol issues in Scotland.  However on being asked to indicate the specific topics about which training would be of most benefit they identified the following: the Impact of Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005; developing a statement of licensing policy; how licensing decisions should be made; alcohol and public disorder; alcohol and social harm; and strategies to reduce alcohol harm.  Face to face training with inputs from different speakers was the favoured method of delivery.  However online training and shadowing was also acceptable to some respondents.    In conclusion a list of 32 improvement suggestions had been produced as a summary of the results of the survey and this list was circulated at the meeting.

4.2       Members of the Forum recognised the value of the survey although there was some disappointment that the response was only 50 %. The positives which were evident in the responses to the self-assessment were referred to. With regard to engagement with the community, Inspector Scott suggested requesting a question in the next  Scottish Borders  Council Household Survey about the sale and control of alcohol. There followed a discussion about the next steps and how best to take forward the results of the survey in terms of further development of the Forum.  The most favoured suggestion was to have a day-time training session from 10 am – 3 pm and there was discussion in particular about what members wanted to achieve and how to engage with the Licensing Board.  It was agreed that the Board could join in with part of the training with the aim of developing a statement of licensing policy and for the Forum to understand how Licensing Decisions can be made.  It was agreed it would be helpful to include case studies, providing these were not local in origin.  The aim would be to strengthen the Forum’s position in its ability to advise the Board and the 32 improvement suggestions would be looked at as part of the training.  Mr Gillies commented that he would like the Board to be more involved with the Trade and that a shadowing arrangement may be to the benefit of both parties.  However the Legal and Licensing Services Manager advised caution with regard to the setting up of individual shadowing arrangements due to potential conflict of interest in respect of future licence applications.  In conclusion it was agreed that the training take place between 10 am and 3 pm on a Monday or Tuesday late May/early June.  The event would be organised by a sub group made up of the Convener, Ms Walker, Ms Bowie, Mrs Isles (followed by her successor who would be providing legal input to the Forum) and a representative from outside the group.  The training would be delivered by Alcohol Focus Scotland, co-ordinated by Ms Bowie. 

DECISION

(a)          NOTED the responses to the self-assessment survey.

(b)       AGREED:-

(i)           to organise a training-day for the Licensing Forum to take place 10 am – 3 pm on a Monday or Tuesday late May/early June, part of which would be held jointly with the Licensing Board;

(ii)          that the training be organised by a sub group made up of the Convener, Ms Walker, Ms Bowie, Mrs Isles and an additional representative to be co-opted from outside the Forum and the training be delivered by Alcohol Focus Scotland.