Potential of alcohol licensing policy 'yet to be fully realised' say campaigners

The Scottish Government has been challenged to set a national licensing policy for alcohol, as part of efforts to cut the availability of drink.

Campaigners at Alcohol Focus Scotland said the potential of the licensing system - where boards grant permission for the sale of alcohol - to help tackle the drink problem has `yet to be fully realised'.

Figures for 2016-17 showed that across Scotland 16,678 licenses to sell alcohol were in force, up from 16,338 in 2011-2012.

Since then an average of 95% of alcohol licensing applications a year have been granted by local boards.

Eight years on from the implementation of the last licensing reforms, Alcohol Focus Scotland reviewed the system

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 contained provisions aimed at protecting the public form the potentially harmful effects of alcohol, requiring local licensing boards to adopt a more policy driven approach.

Boards were compelled to produce a statement of licensing policy, which could include measures to restrict alcohol if there is a problem with oversupply.

In addition to this they were given the ability to refuse to grant a licence if it could result in an too many premises in an area selling drink.

But Alcohol Focus Scotland, in its Taking Stock report, said there were areas where `overprovision policies had not yet been developed' as well as complains that licensing boards are failing to adhere to existing policies, or implementing them inconsistently.

It said: `We have identified a need for greater national direction on availability and a clearer expectation of how licensing can and should contribute to reducing consumption and harm in Scotland.'

To tackle this the group called on the Scottish Government to introduce a national licensing policy, saying that this would `underpin the strategic approach to reducing availability, and provide a national driver for the licensing system which is currently lacking'.

It also urged guidance on the existing legislation be updated as a matter or priority, with attention given to issues including how overprovision of alcohol should be assessed.

Ministers should further commission research into online and telephone sales of alcohol, in a bid to understand the scale and nature of these markets and how they are evolving.

The group insisted the current licensing system is too complex, and said it is difficult for local people to get involved in decision making.

Here the report highlighted a number of overly formal processes, intimidating licensing hearings, and a lack of accessible information about the work of licensing boards'.

It added that licensing board meetings furthermore, meetings were sometimes held in inaccessible venues or at inconvenient times for the public'

Alison Douglas, the chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: `Licensing is devolved to local boards so that decisions can better meet the needs of local communities.

`Unfortunately, too often the people and communities affected by licensing decisions are unable to voice their opinions because of the complexity of the system.

`Despite one million Scots drinking too much, and the harm this causes to individuals, families and communities, we have seen an increase in the number of licensed premises over the last six years.

`It seems that every corner shop now sells alcohol, as well many petrol stations, sandwich bars and coffee shops.'

She added: `We need a clearer expectation from Scottish Government of how licensing can and should contribute to reducing consumption and harm in communities across Scotland.

`And we need greater consistency, transparency and accountability from local licensing boards on how they are delivering on this.

`The Scottish Government's alcohol strategy refresh and licensing boards' preparation of their licensing policy statements provide a real opportunity to address some of the issues raised in this report and ensure our licensing system is fit for the future.'