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East Lothian Licensing Forum
The Licensing Forum reviews the operation of all new licensing legislation and gives advice and recommendations to the local licensing board.
The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 ('the Act') governs the sale of liquor in Scotland and a requirement of the Act is the establishment of Local Licensing Forums. There are quarterly meetings held across East Lothian.
The Forum keeps under review the operation of all new licensing legislation in East Lothian and gives advice and recommendations to the local licensing board. The Forum cannot review, give advice, or make recommendations regarding a particular case. The Licensing Board has a duty to regard the Forum's views.
Members of the Forum have been drawn from the following six categories of persons:
- holders of premises licenses and personal licenses
- representative of the Chief Constable for the police area of Lothian and Borders, Scotland
- persons having functions in relation to health, education or social work
- young people
- persons resident within the Forum's area
- the local Licensing Standards Officer
The Licensing Forum was formed in 2007 in accordance with Sections 10, 11 and Schedule 2 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, and seeks to represent the views of people concerned with the operation of licensing systems in East Lothian.
The Scheme of Administration (SoA), adopted in 2020, sets out how the Forum will operate and incorporates the Code of Practice for Forum Members. The Forum's SoA will be reviewed every two years to ensure it is kept relevant.