East Lothian Licensing Forum

Age Verification and Fake ID

With the rise in ever more convincing fake ID licence holders, premises managers and staff working in licensed premises are reminded to be vigilant in their age verification checks. It is a mandotory condtion of all premises licences to have an age verification policy. If you would like a written policy to use get in touch with the Licensing Standards Officer who will be happy to help.

East Lothian Licensing Board Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028

The East Lothian Licensing Board has published its revised Statement of Licensing Policy avaiable to download here

Forum Vacancies

The Forum is the public voice on the operation of the licensing legislation in East Lothian. It watches over and reviews how the law is being implemented in the County and advises the Licensing Board on issues and makes recommendations on tackling problems.

Due to the Covid pandemic membership of the Forum has declined and there are several important vacancies that require to be filled if the Forum is to continue and its important functions fulfilled. If you have an enquiring mind and a sense of belief that alcohol licensing needs to be carefully monitored then please apply for membership. Please note that the minutes at meetings are taken and circulated by a member of the East Lothian Council Committees Team, therefore, this onerous task is not a matter than a volunteer member would be asked to do.

Online/remote sales and Deliveries of Alcohol

In the past few years online retailing of alcohol and alcohol deliveries have increased significantly. East Lothian Licensing Board during its consultation and review of its Statement of Licensing Policy are considering if it will be a requirement to add deliveries, online and remote sales to the activities in the operating plan.

It is worth noting for retailers conducting remote/online sales and deliveries of alcohol that The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 makes certain requirements:

• sales must be recorded in a day book at the premises and a delivery book (or invoice) carried by the delivery driver. Both must detail the quantity, description and price of the alcohol; and the name and address of the person to who it is to be delivered.
• it is an offence to not keep these records and they must be made available  to a police or licensing standards officer on request.
• it is an offence to deliver to an address other than in the documentation. Therefore deliveries cannot be left with a neighbour and delivered between 12midnight and 6am are banned.
• there is the potential for deliveries to persons under 18 which is of great concern to licensing boards. Preventative measures and a strict delivery/shipping policy should be out in place.

Should a premises be considering or providing remote/online sales and deliveries guidance can be sought from the Licensing Standards Officer.

Local Council Elections 2022

East Lothian local council elections were be held on Thursday 5 May 2022. A new Licensing Board was formed and information can be found here.  Agendas, reports and minutes are available here.

From 2022-2023, the new Board will arrange consultation and a review of the current statement of licensing policy, which will be updated and refreshed within the statutory timescale of 18 months from the date of the local council elections.