Licensing Standards

• The Role of the Licensing Standards Officer
• Moray Licensing Board Policy Statement
• Local Licensing Forum
• Discussion Board
• Complaints

The Role of the Licensing Standards Officer

The position of the Licensing Standards Officer (LSO) is a new Post, which has been introduced as an integral part of the Licensing (Scot) Act 2005. Every Local Authority has to appoint one, or more, LSO for their area, and each officer has to comply with the nationally agreed training requirements. In essence, the role of the LSO is seen as one of Guidance, Mediation and Compliance. Section 14 of the 2005 Act states that the LSO has ‘to provide to interested persons information and guidance concerning the operation of the Act in the area’. They also have to ‘supervise the compliance by the holders of premises licences, or occasional licences’ whilst ‘providing mediation services for the purpose of avoiding or resolving disputes or disagreements between licence holders, and any other persons’. This is a very broad remit and the LSO should really be seen as the first point of contact for anybody with a query, or issue concerning the act.

My main roles so far have been that of assisting licensees with their applications for their ‘premises licences’ under the 2005 act, resolving disputes between different parties and addressing a wide variety of issues, which have arisen during this ‘transition period’. This has been greatly assisted by being able to work with the Council Licensing Dept, particularly when they have been providing ‘surgeries’ for any interested parties, whilst also assisting locally with training courses for applicants and staff who are going to be affected by this new legislation. I also sit on the local ‘steering group’, which involves all the local agencies and organisations involved, ensuring that I have a good overview of the ongoing situation within Moray. I would ask that anybody with an interest, for whatever reason, in the 2005 act, feel free to contact me via this website, or by phoning me at Elgin 554646. I look forward to hearing from you.

Andy Walker - trading.standards@moray.gov.uk

Licensing Standards Officer, Moray.

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Moray Licensing Board Policy Statement

Section 6 of the Licensing (Scot) Act 2005 requires every Licensing Board to prepare and publish a statement of its licensing policy every three years. The policy must also be kept under review during the three year period and revised as necessary.

This document outlines the position and stance taken for all matters relating to licensing of the Moray Council Licensing Board. It is available here

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Local Licensing Forum

Each council must establish a Local Licensing Forum for their area. It is the responsibility of this Forum to keep under review the operation of the LSA 2005 Act in the Moray region. They can give advice and make recommendations to the board. It is the role of all the Forum members to properly represent those people on who's behalf they act and ensure the concerns and opinions of the people of Moray are made known to the Board. Details of Forum members, legal and constitutional matters are all included on the Moray Local Licensing Forum web page along with copy Minutes and Agendas.

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Discussion Board

Further to the above and to ensure people in Moray have ready access to the Forum and can make their views known an electronic noticeboard has been designed so that any queries or viewpoints, can be easily entered and a response entered.

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Complaints

Should any person wish to make a complaint with regard to any licensing matter there is a process to follow. This page also details the overriding intention and purpose of the Licensing (Scot) Act 2005 as per the five licensing objectives. Complaints process can be found here.

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