STUC Response to the Nicholson Committee Review of Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland
Introduction
The STUC is Scotland's Trade Union Centre. Its purpose is to co- ordinate, develop and articulate the views and policies of the Trade Union Movement in Scotland and, through the creation of real social partnership, to promote trade unionism, equality and social justice; the creation and maintenance of high quality jobs and the public sector delivery of services.
The STUC represents around 630,000 working people and their families throughout Scotland. It speaks for trade union members in and out of work, in the community and in the workplace. Our affiliated organisations have interests in all sectors of the economy.
STUC Response
The STUC wishes to confine its response to Chapter 6, Section 6.2 of the report, entitled Applications by a local authority.
The STUC notes that Section 6.2 suggests that the granting of liquor licenses by licensing boards to local authorities is open to challenge under Article 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).
Scottish local authorities use liquor licenses both as part of their commercial activities and for non-commercial events such as civic functions.
The STUC believes that the recommendation that local authorities should not be able to hold liquor licenses in their own name is potentially detrimental to the maintenance of catering services provided in-house.
The provision of in-house catering services is important both in terms of quality of service and local employment. In this respect, the suggested solution for local authorities - to offer franchises for catering in premises owned and operated by the Council is unsatisfactory and could lead to the loss of local authority jobs.
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The STUC therefore urges reconsideration of the decision to deny licensing boards the right to grant liquor licenses to local authorities and the formulation of a process whereby this aspect of current practice is maintained.
STUC December 2003
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