THE Law Society of Scotland welcomes the publication of the Scottish Government’s Regulatory Review Group (RRG) review of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 Report and fully supports its recommendations.
John Loudon, convener of the Society’s Licensing Law Sub-Committee, said:
“We are pleased to see such a robust report with clear recommendations.
“In particular, the need for a national set of forms, fresh guidance – preferably before boards conclude their three year policy reviews – and the recommendation that the Scottish Government should review whether rateable value is the best scaling factor for the banding structure used for calculating licensing fees for premises licences.
“We also very much welcome recognition of some of the long-standing practical issues highlighted by the committee, such as those which arise in relation to the variations of premises licences.”
The Society has been actively engaged with the Scottish Government’s Criminal Justice Directorate’s Alcohol and Knives team with regard to the practical and legal issues arising from the implementation of the 2005 Act, and its myriad of regulations.
Representatives of its Licensing Law Sub-Committee have also attended recent meetings of the RRG held in Glasgow in February and April of this year in order to consider specific implementation issues such as fees and the cost of applications.
The full report can be found here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/support/better-regulation/regulatory-review-group/publications/LicensingReview#top
15 June 2010
Notes to Editors
The Regulatory Review Group (RRG) is an independent body, supported by the Scottish Government, with members drawn from the main business, employee and consumer organisations in Scotland. It works to:
• create a culture and environment in Scotland where both business and government work together to create better regulation for all; and
• in doing that, make Scotland recognised as the leading country in Europe in terms of better regulation.
The Regulatory Review Group is chaired by Professor Russell Griggs
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information please contact: Louise Docherty on 0131 476 8204 louisedocherty@lawscot.org.uk
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