PLANS FOR FORFAR PUBLIC BOOZE BAN
PLANS to introduce a new bye-law prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in central Forfar will be unveiled at a meeting of Angus Licensing Board on Wednesday (today).
The new bye-law, if approved, will make it an offence to consume alcohol in Forfar town centre, Newmonthill Cemetery and the Boyle Park, Reid Park and Steele Park.
Angus Licensing Board will be asked to approve the designated areas to be covered by new bye-laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public places, kicking off a process that could eventually lead to them coming into force.
In addition to the three parks and the cemetery it is proposed to introduce a public booze ban in central Forfar, taking in past problem areas such as the East & Old Parish Church graveyard, together with the Myre and East Greens car parks.
It was at a Licensing Board meeting in June of last year that it was agreed that a short term working group be formed to consider the extension of current bye-law boundaries, prohibiting drinking in public places in Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Kirriemuir and Montrose and the feasibility of establishing byelaw areas in Forfar and Monifieth.
The licensing standards officer informally consulted with all affected community councils, Angus Licensing Forum, Angus Alcohol and Drug Partnership and Tayside Police and prepared proposals to present to the working group.
The working group met in November and examined the proposals put forward. Certain minor changes were agreed and these proposals were checked on the ground by the licensing standards officer.
If the proposals are approved by the Licensing Board on Wednesday, the matter will require to be considered by Angus Council, as only it has the power to make bye-laws.
Thereafter the draft bye-laws will be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval and if agreed, formal consultation will be undertaken with the Procurator Fiscal.
There will be an opportunity for members of the public to comment on the proposals before they are brought back to Angus Licensing Board and Angus Council for further consideration.
Although the booze ban has been working effectively in Kirriemuir in recent years, there are proposals to considerably extend the designated area - to take in areas such as Webster's High School and sports centre, an area of the Roods as far north as West Hillbank, an area east along Brechin Road to Wellbank and an area to the south to include the Commonty.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kirriemuir
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
