New legislation governing the sale of liquor in Scotland has been introduced. One of the requirements of the new regime is the establishment of Local Licensing Forums. The role of the forum is to keep under review the operation of the licensing system in its area, to give advice and make recommendations to the Licensing Board, but not in respect of any particular case. The Licensing Board has a duty to have regard to the forum's views.
The members of the forum have been drawn from the following 5 categories of persons:
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holders of premises licenses and personal licenses
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a representative of the Chief Constable for the police area of Central Scotland
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persons having functions in relation to health, education or social work
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young people
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persons resident within the forum's area.
Members of the forum should refrain from pursuing their own individual interests; members who belong to a particular organisation are not on the forum to express or promote the view of that organisation to the exclusion of everything else; members must take active steps to stay in touch with the interest group they represent, for example health, education or social work, so that they can convey its view to the forum.
Steps have been taken to ensure that there is adequate representation in respect of the interests of disabled persons, ethnic minority groups and faith groups.