South Ayrshire Council News

Licensing Board members with their certificates

All members of the South Ayrshire Licensing Board successfully completed compulsory training and an examination at their first attempt in July. At the most recent Board all members were presented with a certificate from ServeWise to mark their achievement.

Under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 Licensing Board members must attain a statutory qualification covering key areas of knowledge to support their role in aid of the Act. The qualification must:

• Be attained within three months of appointment to the position.
• Meet with the training specification agreed by Scottish Ministers.
• Be accredited by the Scottish Qualification Authority. 

Speaking about the training Councillor Douglas Campbell, the Chair of the Licensing Board said: “The course was a combination of pre-course work, self-study and one day’s tutored training that was delivered by accredited trainers. Each Board member then had to take an examination to test their knowledge and understanding of licensing matters. It was a very worthwhile course and I am very pleased that all the Board members passed first time.”

All the Board members attended a course that was held within Ayr College and had to following a challenging syllabus agreed by Scottish Ministers to enable them to understand:

• The law in relation to the five licensing objectives set out by the Licensing (Scotland)Act 2005.
• The law in relation to the roles, responsibilities and functions of Licensing Boards in relation to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.
• The law in relation to the premises licence.
• The law in relation to the application process.
• The law in relation to the role and responsibilities of the personal licence holder, and the penalties for failing to comply with the law.
• The law in relation to premises licences, occasional licences, exempt and excluded premises.
• The law in relation to the protection of children.
• How to manage conflict and the benefits of working with local schemes and partnership.
• The link between legal and social responsibility and good business.
• The law in relation to promoting responsible drinking.