Agenda reports pack
Argyll and Bute Council · 23 September 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Licensing Board — 23 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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THE ARGYLL AND BUTE LICENSING BOARD Tel. (01546) 604128 Kilmory Lochgilphead 15 September 2025 Dear Sir/Madam LICENSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2005 A meeting of the ARGYLL AND BUTE LICENSING BOARD will be held VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2025 at 11:00 AM, which you are requested to attend. Yours faithfully DAVID LOGAN Clerk to the Board To: All Members of the Licensing Board BUSINESS 1. APOLOGIES 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LICENSING BOARD MEETING OF 24TH JUNE 2025 4. APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE (a) Arlene's Coffee Shop, Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6AY (Pages 5 - 14) Summary Sheet attached – Item 4(a) 5. APPLICATION FOR MAJOR VARIATION OF A PREMISES LICENCE (a) The Co-operative Food, The Clachan, Rosneath, G84 0RF (Pages 15 - 16) The applicant wishes to vary the licence as follows:- 1) To add home deliveries to the operating plan. Summary Sheet attached – Item 5(a) Public Document Pack
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(b) The Hub (formerly Skippers Bistro), Argyll Caravan Park, Inveraray, PA32 8XT (Pages 17 - 20) The applicants wish to vary the licence as follows:- 1) Change to the Children and Young Person's conditions so that Children over 12 years of age are allowed on the premises unaccompanied until 7.00pm. Summary Sheet attached – Item 5(b) 6. REVIEW OF PERSONAL LICENCES (a) Revocation of Personal Licences where licence holders have not undertaken the refresher training. (Pages 21 - 22) A list of personal licences to be revoked is attached. (b) Revocation of Personal Licences where licence holders have not applied to renew their licence (Pages 23 - 24) A list of personal licences to be revoked is attached. 7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (a) Festive Hours Policy 2025 (Pages 25 - 26) A copy of the draft Festive Hours policy 2025 is attached. (b) Chief Constables Report 2024-2025 (Pages 27 - 36) A copy of the Chief Constables Report 2024/2025 is attached. (c) Licensing Board Dates 2026 The first three Licensing Board meetings for 2026 have been set as Tuesday 24th February 2026 Tuesday 21st April 2026 Tuesday 23rd June 2026 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Licensing Board will be held on Tuesday 25th November 2025 at 11.00am. Argyll and Bute Licensing Board Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Audrey Forrest Councillor Kieron Green (Chair) Councillor Amanda Hampsey
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Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Mark Irvine (Vice-Chair) Councillor Andrew Kain Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Councillor Liz McCabe Councillor Dougie Philand Contact: Kelly Coffield Tel: 01546 604355
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ITEM 4(a) Argyll and Bute Licensing Board 23rd September 2025 APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF A PREMISES LICENCE NAME OF PREMISES: Arlene’s Coffee Shop, Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6AY APPLICANT: Arlene Robbie, Birchwood, Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6AY AGENT: Christine Roberts, Northstar Consultancy DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES: Arlene's Coffee Shop is a family run award winning coffee shop and chocolatiers in Craignure, offering breakfast, light lunches, home baking, patisserie and barista coffee. We also stock a wide variety of our unique handmade artisan chocolates. We offer both sit-in and takeaway food and wish to include on-sales alcohol sales without food offering as well as off-sales if, and when required. We are situated in the heart of Craignure on the Isle of Mull, on roadside of the A849, just a hundred metres from the Craignure Ferry Terminal. We are open to the public of all ages. The building is a small single ground floor room, with a patio seating area to the front. LICENSED HOURS APPLIED FOR ON SALES OFF SALES Monday 11.00 to 17.00 11.00 to 17.00 Tuesday 11.00 to 17.00 11.00 to 17.00 Wednesday 11.00 to 17.00 11.00 to 17.00 Thursday 11.00 to 17.00 11.00 to 17.00 Friday 11.00 to 22.00 11.00 to 22.00 Saturday 11.00 to 22.00 11.00 to 22.00 Sunday 11.00 to 17.00 11.00 to 17.00 SEASONAL VARIATION:- The management reserve the right, depending on demand, to open the business one hour later than the commencement of licensed core hours, close one hour earlier than Page 5 Agenda Item 4a
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ITEM 4(a) termination of core hours on any day of the week, or completely close during winter months ie. 1st October to 31st March. The Coffee Shop plans to open two nights during the week to serve dinners thoughout the year, serving alcohol until 10.00pm. ACTIVITIES:- Conference facilities; Restaurant facilities; Bar meals: Receptions; Funerals; Club or other group meetings; Recorded music; Live performances; Outdoor drinking facilities. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSON CONDITIONS:- TERMS – Children aged 0-15 years will be permitted entry when accompanied with an adult aged 18 years or over, for the purpose of purchasing take-away food and drink, consuming food and drink or attending a private function/event. Young persons aged 16-17 years will be permitted for the purposes of purchasing take-away food and drink, consuming food and drink or attending a private function/event. AGES – Children - 0-15 years; Young persons -16 & 17 years TIMES – Children and young persons will be allowed entry at all times. PARTS – Children and young persons will be allowed entry to all public areas. CAPACITY OF PREMISES: - On Sales – 44 persons. 18 Inside. 26 outside. LSO COMMENTS: See attached report. POLICE COMMENTS: No Police objections OBJECTIONS/REPRESENTATIONS/COMMENTS: None POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:- Page 6
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Classification: OFFICIAL LSO REPORT ARLENE'S COFFEE SHOP, ARLENE ROBBIE, ON AND OFF SALES, CRAIGNURE, ISLE OF MULL, PA65 6AY. LSO. Arlene’s Coffee Shop is an established café and takeaway serving the community of Craignure, near the ferry terminal. They are seeking a premises licence as an expansion to their current business to allow them to serve alcohol and to offer an occasional evening meal service to residents and visitors to the island. Operating Plan Q1 Proposed: On and Off Sales Q2 On sales hours Proposed: Sun – Thurs 11am – 5pm Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm Q3 Off sales hours Proposed: Sun – Thurs 11am – 5pm Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm Q4 Seasonal variations Proposed: The Management reserve the right, depending on demand, to open the business one hour later than the commencement of licensed core hours, close one hour earlier than termination of core hours on any day of the week, or completely close during winter months i.e. 1st October to 31st March. The Coffee Shop plans to open two nights during the week to serve dinners throughout the year, serving alcohol until 10.00pm. LSO Proposal, discussed and agreed: The Management reserve the right, depending on demand, to open the business one hour later than the commencement of licensed core hours, close one hour earlier than termination of core hours on any day of the week, or completely close during winter months i.e. 1st October to 31st March. Q5 Activities Proposed: Page 7
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Classification: OFFICIAL Conference facilities; Restaurant facilities; Bar meals; Receptions (weddings, funerals, birthdays etc.), Club meetings; Recorded music; Live performances; Outdoor drinking facilities All available out with core hours: “According to business need and customer demand, we will open out with licensing hours to provide breakfast, snacks and takeaway food. No alcohol will be supplied out with core hours. Additionally, staff will be on the premises at all hours preparing food and cleaning.” LSO comment: Non-amplified live music may occasionally be provided alongside “themed” evenings – e.g. Burns Night, Valentine’s Dinner etc. No immediate concerns from EHO although support can be provided in producing a noise management plan. Other activities: Proposed: Takeaway food & non-alcoholic drink Sale of gifts Q6 Children and Young Persons TERMS Proposed Children aged 0-15 years will be permitted entry when accompanied with an adult aged 18 years and over, for the purposes of purchasing take-away food & drink, consuming food & drink, or attending a private function/event. Young persons aged 16-17 years will be permitted for the purposes of purchasing takeaway food & drink, consuming food & drink or attending a private function/event. AGES Proposed Children aged 0 – 15 years Young Persons aged 16 & 17 TIMES Proposed: Children and young persons will be allowed entry at all times. LSO proposed and agreed: Children and Young Persons will be allowed on the premises until 10pm or for the duration of any private function/event. PARTS Proposed Page 8
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Classification: OFFICIAL Children and young persons will be allowed entry to all public areas. Q7 Capacity 18 persons seated inside 26 persons seated outside on patio Layout Plan Layout plan submitted shows the café and front patio area. Page 9
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Arlene's Coffee Shop - Premises Licence Plan Produced for: Arlene Robbie Date Produced: 11 Aug 2025 Plan Reference Number: TQRQM25223144750629 Scale: 1:500 @ A4 © Crown copyright and database rights 2025 OS 100042766 Page 11
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$5/(1( 6&2))((6+23 &5$,*185( 35(0,6(6/,&(1&($33/,&$7,21 Page 13
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ITEM 5(a) Argyll and Bute Licensing Board 23rd September 2025 VARIATION OF A PREMISES LICENCE NAME OF PREMISES: The Co-operative Food, The Clachan, Rosneath, G84 0RF APPLICANT: Co-operative Group Food Limited, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG AGENT: Hill Brown Licensing DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES: New build store occupying ground floor. EXISTING LICENSED HOURS ON SALES OFF SALES Monday N/A 10.00 to 22.00 Tuesday N/A 10.00 to 22.00 Wednesday N/A 10.00 to 22.00 Thursday N/A 10.00 to 22.00 Friday N/A 10.00 to 22.00 Saturday N/A 10.00 to 22.00 Sunday N/A 10.00 to 22.00 DETAILS OF VARIATIONS SOUGHT:- The applicant wishes to vary the licence as follows:- 1) To add home deliveries to the operating plan. CURRENT ACTIVITIES: Recorded music. LSO COMMENTS: A change to the operating plan to bring in line with other co-op premises and to highlight home delivery of alcohol where desired. Page 15 Agenda Item 5a
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ITEM 5(a) Operating plan Question 5 (f) Additional activities, Current; The sale of food, non-food items and other household goods, and the provision of ancillary consumer services within and outwith licensed hours. Proposed addition, home deliveries may be provided to customers. Alcohol will only be delivered in terms of and in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. No other changes requested. POLICE COMMENTS: No Police objections OBJECTIONS/REPRESENTATIONS: None POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:- Page 16
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ITEM 5(b) Argyll and Bute Licensing Board 23rd September 2025 VARIATION OF A PREMISES LICENCE NAME OF PREMISES: The Hub (formerly Skippers), Argyll Caravan Park, Inveraray, PA32 8XT APPLICANT: Argyll Estates, Cherry Park, Inveraray, PA32 8XG AGENT: n/a DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES: Detached bistro situated within Argyll Caravan Park, Inveraray. The premises comprise a bistro/restaurant and a smaller restaurant with bar facilities. The premises offer family friendly restaurant facilities serving caravan park residents, the local wider area and tourists to the area. EXISTING LICENSED HOURS ON SALES OFF SALES Monday 11.00 to 01.00 11.00 to 22.00 Tuesday 11.00 to 01.00 11.00 to 22.00 Wednesday 11.00 to 01.00 11.00 to 22.00 Thursday 11.00 to 01.00 11.00 to 22.00 Friday 11.00 to 01.00 11.00 to 22.00 Saturday 11.00 to 01.00 11.00 to 22.00 Sunday 11.00 to 01.00 11.00 to 22.00 DETAILS OF VARIATIONS SOUGHT:- The applicants wish to vary the licence as follows:- 1) Change to the Children and Young Person's conditions so that Children over 12 years of age are allowed on the premises unaccompanied until 7.00pm. Page 17 Agenda Item 5b
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ITEM 5(b) CURRENT ACTIVITIES: Conference facilities; Restaurant facilities; Bar meals; Celebrations; Funerals; Club and other group meetings; Recorded music; Live performances; Dance; Gaming; Indoor/outdoor sports; Televised sport; Outdoor drinking facilities. CURRENT CHILDREN/YOUNG PERSON’S CONDITIONS: TERMS: Children and young persons will be permitted access provided they are accompanied by an adult for the purpose of taking a snack up to 7.00pm and after 7.00pm for the purpose of taking a meal to 9.00pm. They will also be permitted for a pre-arranged function up to the terminal hour. AGES: Children up to the age of 15 and young persons aged 16 and 17 years will be permitted. TIMES: Children of all ages and young persons will be permitted access provided they are accompanied by a person over 18 years until 7.00pm for the purposes of taking non-alcoholic refreshments, snack and meals. After 7.00pm children of all ages and young persons will be permitted access provided that they are accompanied by a person over 18 years for the purpose of taking a meal until 9.00pm each evening or until the end of a pre-arranged function. PARTS: Children of all ages and young persons will be permitted within all public areas. LSO COMMENTS: See attached report POLICE COMMENTS: No Police objections OBJECTIONS/REPRESENTATIONS: None POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:- Page 18
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Classification: OFFICIAL LSO REPORT THE HUB (FORMERLY SKIPPERS) ARGYLL ESTATES, ON AND OFF SALES ARGYLL CARAVAN PARK, INVERARAY, ARGYLL, PA32 8XT The Hub currently serves the Argyll Caravan Park as a small café and takeaway under a new management team. The new management team are seeking variation to the Children & Young Persons terms to allow children over 12 unaccompanied access for food & soft drinks. LSO. Q6 TERMS Current: Children and young persons will be permitted access provided they are accompanied by an adult for the purpose of taking a snack up to 7.00pm and after 7.00pm for the purpose of taking a meal to 9.00pm. They will also be permitted for a pre-arranged function up to the terminal hour. Proposed: Children under 12 will be permitted access when accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Children aged 12 – 15 and Young Persons will be permitted access for the purposes of consuming food or soft drinks or when ordering/collecting food to take away. LSO Proposed and agreed: Children and Young Persons will be permitted for the purposes of consuming food or soft drinks or when ordering/collecting food to take away. AGES Current: Children 0 – 15 years Young Persons 16 & 17 LSO Proposed and agreed: Children 0 – 15 & Young Persons 16 & 17 Children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over Children aged 12 – 15 and Young Persons will be permitted access unaccompanied TIMES Current: Children of all ages and young persons will be permitted access provided they are accompanied by a person over 18 years until 7.00pm for the purposes of taking non-alcoholic refreshments, snack and meals. After 7.00pm children of all ages and young persons will be Page 19
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Classification: OFFICIAL permitted access provided that they are accompanied by a person over 18 years for the purpose of taking a meal until 9.00pm each evening or until the end of a pre-arranged function. Proposed: Children and Young Persons will be permitted access until 7pm unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Children and Young Persons will be permitted access until 9pm when accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over for the purpose of taking a meal. Children and Young Persons will be permitted for the duration of a pre-arranged function or event. LSO Proposed and agreed: Children (12 – 15) and Young Persons will be permitted access unaccompanied until 7pm. Children and Young Persons will be permitted access until 9pm when accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over for the purpose of taking a meal. Children and Young Persons will be permitted for the duration of a pre-arranged function or event. PARTS Current: Children of all ages and young persons will be permitted within all public areas. Proposed: All public areas except the immediate vicinity of any bar counter area. Page 20
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Page 21 Agenda Item 6a
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Page 23 Agenda Item 6b
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Classification: OFFICIAL On-Trade Festive Licensing Hours 2025 As in previous years the licensing board has set the period during which extended hours will be considered as follows: Festive Hours Period - 5th December 2025 to 2nd January 2026 (into the morning of the 3rd) There will be a general presumption in favour of extending licensing hours during the above period along the following lines: • Festive Hours Period – 5th December 2025 to 2nd January 2026 (into the morning of the 3rd) For those premises with a terminal core hour of 0000 hours, extension to a limit of 0100 hours For those premises with a terminal core hour of 0100 hours, extension to a limit of 0200 hours For those premises with a terminal core hour of 0200 hours, extension to a limit of 0300 hours • Festive Holidays (24th 25th 26th December 2025 and 31st December 2025 & 1st January 2026) Extension to a limit of 0300 hours for all on-trade premises _______________________________________________ Notes: Prevailing local late night conditions will still apply, such as the night-time curfew, curtailment of music at a certain time and stewarding. Children: • Children will be allowed, under parental supervision to 0100 hours on 31st December/1st January to welcome the New Year, and only then for family events. • Normal restrictions relating to children (such as the terminal hour on all other nights covered by this “relaxation”) still apply. Application Timescale Please be aware that extended hours applications must be with the Board at least 35 days prior to the date on which the extended hours event is being held. This timescale is to allow for statutory reports the Board must consider in determining each application. Page 25 Agenda Item 7a
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 1 OFFICIAL Argyle & West Dunbartonshire Licensing Report 2024-2025 Page 27 Agenda Item 7b
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 2 OFFICIAL Foreword It gives me great pleasure to provide the Annual Licensing Report for 2024/25, in accordance with Section 12(A) of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. Throughout the last year I have been committed to improving confidence amongst our communities by working in partnership with a focus on prevention, early intervention and proactivity. This supports our broader 2030 vision of safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving work force. In respect of Licensing, I recognise that success can only be achieved in collaboration with the 32 local authorities across Scotland. Along with contribution from many other associated national and local partners, this collaborative working ensures support for the licensed trade while also preventing alcohol fuelled violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Our joint campaigns which aim to protect children and young persons from harm will continue. In the year ahead, our approach will remain focused on prevention and collaboration to ensure high standards of service delivery. I will continue to encourage officers and staff to engage with licensed premises and take relevant and proportionate action where appropriate to ensure licensing standards are maintained in the interest of the safety of the people of Scotland. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our local partnerships for their contribution to maintaining high standards and driving improvement where necessary within the Licensed Trade for the benefit of the communities we all serve. Chief Constable Jo Farrell Page 28
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 3 OFFICIAL Police Scotland Licensing Overview – The Violence Prevention and Licensing Co-ordination Unit (VPLCU) sits within the National Policing Together Division and have staff based across the force. The department has overall responsibility for determining and delivering national licensing strategy and policy, providing advice, guidance and support to divisional licensing teams and undertaking other specialist functions. The VPLCU is a specialist department which consists of a small team of officers. The officers within the unit work with divisional licensing teams and partner agencies to help shape policy and strategy around the police licensing function. They provide advice to police licensing practitioners, operational officers, supervisors and policing commanders. The VPLCU seek to ensure that legislation governing the sale and supply of alcohol is applied consistently across the country and all opportunities are taken to stop the illegal or irresponsible sale, supply or consumption of alcohol with the intention of preventing and reducing crime and disorder. During 2024/2025, from a licensing perspective, our particular focus was on the following; • Scrutiny of the serious incidents of violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour linked to licensed premises. • Delivering and promoting campaigns which seek to address issues arising from the consumption of alcohol, particularly in relation to young persons and in the context of the night-time economy. • Governance and ongoing development of the National ICT Licensing System, known as “Inn Keeper”, to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of liquor and civic licensing administration and management. Police Scotland continue to work on upgrading the National ICT system to ensure compliance with GDPR legislation. Each of the 13 Local Policing Divisions have a licensing team responsible for the day to day management of licensing administration, complying with statutory requirements as well as addressing any issues that may arise within licensed premises in their local area. Page 29
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 4 OFFICIAL LICENSING BOARD AREA The Licensing Board area is policed by Argyll & West Dunbartonshire ‘L’ Division. Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson is the Local Police Commander who has the responsibility for all day-to-day policing functions. The Local Area Commander for South Argyll, Helensburgh, Lomond, Bute and Cowal is Chief Inspector James McArthur and for Mid-Argyll, Kintyre, Oban, Lorn and the Islands is Chief Inspector Lee Page. Local Policing Priorities Following our public consultation process, the policing priorities for Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Division, as set out in our Local Policing Plan are as follows; • Acquisitive Crime • Public Protection • Road Safety and Road Crime • Serious Organised Crime • Violence and anti-social behaviour Description of Board Area Argyll & Bute has a population of just over 86,000 people, this number increases significantly during the summer months. Argyll and Bute is the chosen destination for thousands of visitors both nationally and internationally every year. The area has a vibrant and diverse population and boasts a significant number of small-scale commercial enterprises supporting the local community. Argyll & Bute contains over 500 licensed premises within the Board Area, which are concentrated in the built-up areas of the respective towns. The vast majority are in the main settlements of Oban, Helensburgh, Campbeltown, Dunoon, Lochgilphead and Rothesay. There is also licensed premises in almost every village throughout the area. Uniformed Policing in the board area consists of response officers, located at hubs throughout these localities. They are responsible for the day-to-day policing presence in our communities and are the first point of contact for much of our frontline response. All officers are provided with specialised support from the Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Divisional Licensing Team, working together to create strong and positive relationships with both residential and business premises, with the aim of creating a safer environment for people to live and work. Page 30
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 5 OFFICIAL In addition, our Community Engagement Team (CET) provide specialist support to the Division in respect of crime prevention, safer communities and architectural liaison work. The CET prioritises the Divert and Deter strands of the Serious Organised Crime Strategy and oversees local imbedding of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Strategy known as Contest. Further to this, the CET leads equality and diversity matters and oversees hate crime investigations within the division. Specialist departments within the division include the Criminal Investigation Department and the Public Protection Unit, responsible for the investigation of serious crime, sexual related crime and domestic abuse. Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Division is also supported by a number of national functions including Specialist Crime Division, Operational Support Division and Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing Division. We are also supported by our Contact, Command and Control Division who provide frontline advice, support and assistance to the public. Their highly skilled staff and officers provide 24-hour support to resolve enquiries, prioritise/task incidents and supply our frontline officers with operationally critical information. OPERATION OF THE LICENSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2005 The Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Divisional Licensing Team provides guidance and support to Local Policing in relation to the sale and supply of alcohol within our communities, ensuring licensed premises operate in accordance with liquor licensing legislation and promote responsible trading aligned with the Licensing Objectives of said Act, namely: • Preventing Crime and Disorder • Securing Public Safety • Preventing Public Nuisance • Protecting and Improving Public Health • Protecting Children and Young Persons from Harm All crimes, incidents and inspections of licensed premises are recorded by officers on the Police Scotland “Innkeeper” system. This system provides a means for licensing staff to review the operation of licensed premises, making sure they are supported where necessary in respect of identified issues/trends, thus ensuring best practice. Whilst the majority of licensed premises do operate in accordance with the legislation stipulated within the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, it is imperative that any irresponsible and illegal sale of alcohol is tackled robustly by the Police. Page 31
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 6 OFFICIAL We have a range of options to assist us with these identified issues. These options form a staged but flexible response, from simply engaging with and advising the staff at licensed premises at the lower end of the scale, to grading premises as being ‘Problematic’ and requesting a review of a premise licence by the Licensing Board in relation to more serious matters. This led to the revocation of one premises licence within the reporting period within Argyll and Bute. During the period of this report, there was over 986 inspections recorded on Innkeeper by Police Scotland officers at licensed premises within the Board Area and 203 incidents attended. The Licensing Team are also responsible for processing all applications sent from Argyll and Bute Council Regulatory Services on behalf of the Chief Constable, as a statutory consultee. All applications are thoroughly examined to ensure they are fit and proper and conform to the Licensing Boards Policy and/or objectives. In the reporting period 2024/2025, the Licensing Team have processed the following applications: Occasional Licences 1134 Personal Licences 216 Premises Licences 13 Variation to Licence Request 64 The Licensing Team also collaborate with a variety of partner agencies, including Licensing Standards Officers, Environmental Health Officers, Trading Standards and Border Control, ensuring licensed premises are running safe and legitimate businesses. Working together ensures that the Licensing Objectives are met in conjunction with local and national policing priorities, providing a safe environment for residents and visitors to the area. The Local Authority Licensing Standards Officers and Licensing Sergeant work together to resolve issues at the earliest possible stage. This can range from interventions at licensed premises or working collaboratively with premises by providing education/best practice, to improve working practices and deter criminality, in line with the Licensing Objectives. Page 32
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 7 OFFICIAL PREVENTING THE SALE OR SUPPLY OF ALCOHOL TO CHILDREN OR YOUNG PEOPLE The unlawful sale and supply of alcohol to young people not only affects their health and wellbeing but leads to other associated risks including becoming involved in violence, being placed in vulnerable or dangerous situations, and participation in anti- social behaviour. Protecting children and young persons from harm is one of the five licensing objectives. Sections 102 – 109 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 are offences specifically related to children and young persons. In terms of section 102 – the sale of alcohol to a child or young person, the premises licence holder has vicarious liability (subject to a due diligence defence) in relation to these offences. The Act defines a child as a person under the age of 16 years, and a young person as a person aged 16 or 17 years old. A collaborative approach continues to be undertaken to address concerns and deter such offences within Argyll & Bute, involving partners from Health, Education and the Local Authority. One such initiative was Operation Ballaton, a multi-agency partnership approach to reduce the impact of anti-social behaviour, alcohol consumption and to promote water safety within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. These environs had seen a large increase in young person’s attendance, especially during favourable weather. This resulted in numerous offences being detected, seizures of alcohol from young persons and referrals being made to partner agencies to further support/educate them in respect of the dangers connected to alcohol abuse. The national ‘It’ll cost you” campaign was also supported within Argyll & Bute, helping to raise awareness that proxy purchasing is a criminal offence. Officers worked with both licensed premises and the community to target areas of concern, thus disrupting and reducing such occurrences. Police Scotland Youth Engagement Officers also work closely with schools and youth organisations to educate and support young people regarding the significant risks associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse. This includes the Choices for Life Programme which tackles several key areas which affect young people, to further reduce harm and break the cycle of substance abuse. Page 33
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 8 OFFICIAL TACKLING SERIOUS AND ORGANISED CRIME Serious and Organised Crime Groups pose a risk within the Argyll & Bute area, in respect of public safety and community wellbeing. Serious and Organised Crime encompasses a vast array of criminality, and its members may use licensing to seemingly legitimise their incomes, providing a plausible source of revenue whist acting as a cover for illegal activities. The Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Divisional Licensing Team, in conjunction with both Divisional and National Intervention Departments, continue to robustly ensure checks are carried out in relation to all relevant applications. Particular attention is paid to those which may be of interest to Organised Crime Groups, to reduce opportunities for these groups to infiltrate legitimate businesses within the board area. Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Division also fully engages with Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy aiming to Divert, Deter, Detect and Disrupt serious and organised crime and the harm it causes. Serious and Organised Crime is not just about drugs but is also linked to Human Trafficking, Cyber Crime and Sexual Exploitation. We continue to work with licence holders in relation to the dangers around substance misuse that can be found within premises. Where issues are identified, these are highlighted to the licence holders and/or responsible persons, with advice and guidance provided to assist in addressing said issues. Where inadequate action is taken, premises and individual licence holders will be reported to the Licensing Board. Our Policing Teams and Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Licensing Department regularly engage with the local community and staff within licensed premises ensuring that there is a comprehensive intelligence picture in relation to serious and organised criminal activity. The Licensing Department share information with the relevant departments, working to prevent persons involved in this type of activity access to the licensing trade. PROPOSED ACTIVITY FOR THE YEAR AHEAD During the next year Police Scotland will continue to work in all areas of licensing in line with the Divisional and National Policing Priorities, to ensure that we continue in our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the people and communities of Argyll and Bute. As outlined, the Divisional Licensing Team have strong working relationships with our partners, and we will continue to build on these in the forthcoming year. We will continue to share information where appropriate and consult other agencies to assist in solving problems or concerns that arise involving licence holders. Page 34
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OFFICIAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Page | 9 OFFICIAL Police Scotland will continue to monitor all incidents in and around licensed premises and where shortcomings are identified, will provide support and/or plans in respect of tackling these issues. Divisional Licensing Teams will use interaction, intervention and support prior to requesting a review of a premises licence unless the matter, due to its severity, requires to be presented before the Licensing Board immediately. We will continue to tackle the proxy purchasing of alcohol on behalf of children and young persons through intelligence led policing and community education, endorsing and supporting the national ‘It will cost you” proxy purchase campaign. Intelligence led policing of all licensed premises will continue, responding to the concerns of our communities and taking enforcement action where and when necessary. We will support the licensing trade in their efforts to prevent and deter violence in premises. This will continue to be carried out by tasking visits to premises where violence has been identified as an issue and by ensuring that staff are well prepared for dealing with any such incidents. We will continue to seek exclusion orders for persons convicted of committing acts of violence on licensed premises. CONCLUSION To conclude we would like to thank you for your continued support during what has been a challenging year for all. We have all had to adapt to a new way of working and ever changing circumstances which has been embraced by all. We look forward to a safe and healthy 2025/2026. Page 35
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