Community Groups
Raffles/Prize Draws
If
an organisation intend to sell raffle tickets to friends, neighbours, acquaintances etc., then the organisation
need to register their society with the licensing authority. There are various conditions which the
office bearers should note regarding the sale of tickets. The organisation is registered through the
secretary and the registrations lasts from January to December in any one year. Normally, printers will
request the registration numbers which should be printed on the actual raffle ticket.
If however, an organisation intend to hold a raffle at a prize giving or social evening and, the tickets are sold during the event and, the prize is drawn on the same evening – no registration is required.
Bingo
(Gaming Act 1968)
Bingo may be played at an entertainment (event) promoted
otherwise than for private gain under Section 41 of the above Act. Only one payment of not more than
£3.00 may be made by each player (whether by way entrance fee or stake or otherwise) for all the games
played at the entertainment, and the total value of all prizes and awards distributed in respect of
those games must not exceed £300. Under this Section, so long as its terms are complied with, bingo
may be lawfully played at an entertainment without the formality of licensing or registration and members
of the public may take part.
Note : Prices and prize money current as of 4 February 1999 (checked with Scottish Office) this changes from time to time.
Alcohol
& Village Hall/Community Groups
The licensing authority can grant
a licence to sell alcohol in a village or community hall to an existing licence holder or to a voluntary
group. The licensing authority cannot grant a licence to an individual.
For example if the local badminton club apply for a licence for a prize giving event in the local church hall the licensing authority can grant a licence for this.
If however, a member of the same badminton club wishes to hold a 50th Birthday Party in the village hall and, he applies for the licence then this application would be refused.
Occasional Permissions must be applied giving ten days notice and voluntary groups can apply for four of these in any one year which is a useful fund raising exercise. The number of events is not restricted only the number of times the organisation can carry out their own bar facilities.
What
if we bring our own alcohol?
Nothing technical to stop this, nothing
illegal however, the premises if they are not covered with a liquor licence may require a public entertainment
licence – depends on the type of function or event. Eg. Ceilidh, Dance etc.
Part of the process in applying for a licence is giving intimation to the Chief Constable that an event is going to take place at a certain location, during certain hours, this notice allows the Chief Constable to police the community accordingly.
Fun/Gala Days Community
Groups
Most fun days (previously gala days) require a Public Entertainment
Licence. If the entertainment does not require a licence usually something else does e.g catering, vending
etc.
Most voluntary groups when arranging this type of event do not really have an itinerary or programme defined when we receive enquiries. Usually the staff request them to consider various elements of the event and particular health & safety arrangements and advise them to call back after the first few meetings have taken place so that more information is available before giving an opinion/advice/licensing applications.
Where is the
venue?
Do
you have consent from the landowner? (if the event is to take place in a public or community open space
have you contacted community services to hire the venue)
- Are you aware you can book equipment from Community Services for your event?
- Is there an entrance payment?
- Is there any raised structures (eg. Stage for highland dancing display etc)
- Is there any hot or cold food being sold
- Is there any play equipment for hire?
- Have you checked out public liability insurance?
- Have you thought about off setting this liability e.g. have you seen the caterers insurance?
- Electricity, Toilets, Water Supply etc., etc.
The Licensing Staff will provide information on various contacts throughout the council for various issues e.g booking the open space, booking equipment (stage, bunting, p a system) portable childrens play equipment, roads management, cleansing/special waste uplifts. In addition the Licensing Staff can assist with hot fast food, juvenile play equipment for hire etc.
If a person promotes or organises an event then become liable and responsible in terms of Health & Safety for that event.
