Licensing board revised guidance draft goes out to views

Twelve-year-old guidance for licensing boards is under review by the Scottish Government and a draft of the new verskion has just been published for consultation.

The revised technical guidance, to be issued under s 142 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, aims to reflect the range of relevant primary and secondary legislation enacted since the initial guidance was published in 2007.

As explained in the introduction, the revised guidance does not seek to instruct licensing boards exactly how to exercise their functions under the Act, but is simply intended to assist them as they carry out their responsibilities. Ministers "wish licensing boards and their clerks to be creative and innovative and to implement the Act in a way that best meets local needs and circumstances".

The guidance is focused on providing further explanation of the legislation, and does not seek to go beyond it. It is suggested that although the guidance is for licensing boards, others such as local authorities, Police Scotland, local licensing forums, licensing standards officers and the licensed trade and its representatives may find it useful.

Click here to access the consultation. The deadline for responses is 11 June 2019.