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Alcohol Focus Scotland

Dear Community Council

Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. We are seeking the support of community councillors to develop an alcohol licensing toolkit for community members, and yours views about engaging with the local licensing system.

One in four of us are drinking at potentially harmful levels and alcohol claims ten lives every day in Scotland. AFS is not anti-alcohol but we do believe that our relationship with alcohol needs to change. Controlling the supply of alcohol is something that public authorities have done for centuries to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol. Alcohol licensing is a system of granting permission for the sale of alcohol, and local licensing boards decide who can sell alcohol, and where and when it can be sold. However, licensing boards are legally required to consult with community councils about specific matters relating to alcohol licensing in the local area. They are also about to consult with communities in order to develop new local licensing policies. 

AFS is therefore seeking community councillors to help us develop an alcohol licensing toolkit. Our initial work in this area was in 2017, when we worked with several community councils to co-produce a community toolkit resource (attached); it explains how the licensing process works and provides practical tips to help people get involved. 

People have told us that the toolkit has helped to strengthen their voice in licensing decisions but there remains an overall lack of community engagement in alcohol licensing. This is a concern for licensing decision makers, who want to know that they are making the right decisions for their communities, but it’s an even bigger concern for communities themselves, who are being impacted by alcohol and have a right to be heard.

As such, AFS is updating the toolkit to account for changes in the licensing system since it was first produced. As community councils represent the views of the community, and have a statutory role in the licensing system, they are particularly well placed to contribute to this work.  We are seeking:

  • The contact details of community councillors who would be willing join a short-life advisory group to inform the update of the community toolkit. 
  • Your views about the possibility of developing a separate community councils’ guide to alcohol licensing.
  • Details about your experiences of engaging (or not!) with the local alcohol licensing system.
  • Information about how alcohol is impacting on your community, and any changes that may have occurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you or any other community councillors would be willing to join a short-life advisory group, or have information you’d like to share in relation to any of the above, please contact Marc Buchanan (AFS Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator):

By post: Alcohol Focus Scotland,166 Buchanan StGlasgow, G1 2LW

By Email: Marc.Buchanan@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

By phone: 0141 572 6200

We have also attached an FAQ that provides some background information about alcohol licensing and a list of AFS’s licensing resources. We hope this will provide useful context and help to answer any questions you may have.

Kind regards

Marc Buchanan

AFS Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator”

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Register of Electors

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Objection to CLM

The above letter was sent on behalf of the CGCC to the Councillors of Argyll and Bute Council, highlighting our concerns regarding the Collective Leadership Model proposal.

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Electric Vehicle Charging

Argyll and Bute Council is inviting people to have their say on where additional Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) points should be located, in the event that funding becomes available to expand the scheme.

You can view the locations of existing and proposed electric vehicle chargers in Argyll and Bute, and tell us your views, in our online survey:

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/consultations/electric-vehicle-chargers?fbclid=IwAR3nYhV97fMADZUBEhw3YM0Lt-HwYOpJ-u6EglLucMm9342yNSgFt7SD5Wo

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Argyll Rally Notice

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Prescription Runs

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Competition Time!

COMPETITION TIME!

Help us spruce up our website by sharing your best snaps of Colintraive and Glendaruel, and be in with the chance to win a prize!

Deadline: Monday 30th of May 2022
Images must have been taken by the person submitting the images. (Only exception parents/guardians submitting on behalf of their under 16 entrant.)

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Telecare Scam – Argyll and Bute

If anyone is concerned about a telephone call relating to Telecare, they should dial 01546 605517 and ask to speak to their local Argyll and Bute TEC Technician.

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership HSCP is aware of a scam being circulated in some areas which may be targeting #telecare service users transitioning to digital telecare. This scam is false phone calls to telecare services users asking them to pay for a new alarm as their current system is obsolete.

Given the vulnerability of telecare service users, there is a high risk that they may provide bank details to the scammer.

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Livestock attacks and worrying

Please remember if you’re out and about in Argyll and Bute to keep your dog under control near livestock. Those charged with livestock worrying can face a fine of up to £40,000 or face up to 12 months in prison.
If your walking route allows, avoid walking through livestock-populated farmland.
For more info: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/livestock-attacks-and-worrying/
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Gentle Movement classes with Live Argyll

📢Gentle Movement is back!
✔️Free for anyone
✔️Zoom classes delivered by volunteers
👉Please pre book your 12 week block:
📅Tuesdays @ 6pm (the next block of 12 classes will commence 19th April- 5rd July)
📅Wednesdays @ 11.30am (the next block of 12 classes will commence 20th April- 6th July)
This class is run virtually and is open to anyone who has a long-term health condition or had cancer diagnosis either past or present.
The sessions are run by volunteers, but is over seen by the Development Officer, Mahailia Scott.
The sessions are extremely gentle and extremely relaxing. At the end of the sessions there is time for a ‘virtual cuppa’, where you can chat with others building social connections.
📩To book the 12 sessions block please email Mahailia.Scott@liveargyll.co.uk .