The Licensing Conference at Scots Law 2022

As in-person hearings return and the next challenges post-restrictions come into sight, what does the licensing new normal look like?

In our new online Licensing Conference a panel of experts, chaired by Stephen McGowan of TLT, will consider the key developments that those practicing in the field of licensing law should be aware of and will provide guidance to help you navigate the next stage successfully.

Jim Wilson, Licensing Team Leader at the Scottish Government’s Criminal Law, Practice and Licensing Unit will provide the keynote presentation on bouncing back from the pandemic and what important licensing work strands are currently being progressed within the licensing team in the Scottish Government.  Other sessions will include a focus on the place within the licensing system for club premises, sexual entertainment venues licensing, short-term lets, taxi guidance, fairgrounds and the licensing of large events and festivals.

Questions to be answered will include:

• how has Scotland’s licensing system coped with the impact of the pandemic and how can digital technology support and enable policy aims?
  
• how were the challenges overcome during Glasgow City Council’s SEV licensing journey?
• what are the key considerations in relation to the short-term letting regime?
• what is the place within the licensing system for “club” premises?
• what are the event planning considerations relating to the licensing of large events and festivals?
• what is the latest in relation to taxis, fairgrounds and other key civic government licensing?

We look forward to welcoming you to this important conference.

What's being covered?

Bouncing back from the pandemic and opportunities for reform going forward

The licensing discussion presents an opportunity for an exploratory dip into how Scotland’s licensing system coped with the impact of the pandemic, how legislation has helped to ease the administrative burden on Licensing Boards and Licensing Authorities during the public health crisis and going forward. There will also be an opportunity to look at how digital technology can support and enable policy aims, and also the chance to hear about some other key licensing work strands currently being progressed within the licensing team in Scottish Government.

Jim Wilson, Scottish Government

Licensing 101: Club Premises

In the continuing run of his “back to basics” sessions, Stephen McGowan is going to explore the place within the licensing system for “club” premises. In this session we will explore the relationship between the premises licence and the club’s constitution, if any, and examine how s.125 works (or doesn’t work) in practice. We’ll also revisit the issue of club premises shedding their s.125 status; the overlap between club premises and use of occasional licences, and finally examine the special gaming permissions which may apply. 

Stephen McGowan, TLT LLP

Sexual Entertainment Venues….the licensing story so far

This session will look at the SEV licensing journey in Glasgow from consultations, passing a resolution, policy statement considerations and conditions of a licence.  It will also cover some challenges experienced along the way and how these were overcome.

Gillian McNaught, Glasgow City Council

Licensing scheme for short-term lets 

As we approach the October deadline for local authorities to begin accepting short term let licence applications, each Council is consulting on their licensing policies.  That is coupled with the introduction of planning control areas.  Some councils may find themselves unable to cope with the volume of applications as there is a real concern among operators that the actual short-term let operator numbers across Scotland have been significantly underestimated.  The other end of the spectrum is the combination of licensing policy and planning control area which may result in certain councils having far fewer short-term let operators, to the point this could adversely impact tourism and hospitality in those areas.

Joanna Millar, Gilson Gray

Short-term lets discussion session

You will have an opportunity to discuss the short term lets regime with our panel.

Joanna Millar, Gilson Gray, David Manderson, Scottish Government & Stephen McGowan, TLT LLP

Civic government update

This In this session we will look at the current areas of interest in the trade and taxi licensing including Scottish Government guidance; tax conditionality checks - the new tax checks for taxi licence renewal applications and scrap metal dealers; and also the current position with fairgrounds.

Raymond Lynch, North Ayrshire Council

Festivals and large events

Pre-Covid, in 2019, music festivals alone in the UK added £1.76 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy.  Restrictions through 2020/2021 were not kind to the festival/event industry but 2022 is set to be a bumper year for Festivals, Events, Fetes and Pop-ups. Licensing these events requires a partnership approach between organisers, local authority and blue light partners to not only process the multiple licences covering - alcohol, entertainment, traders and AV effects but to agree Event Safety Management Plans, conditions and blue light deployments. This talk will examine event planning through the SAG/ EPOG process, types of licences required and common issues/ pitfalls.

Niall Hassard, TLT LLP