17.Subsection (1) places a duty on Licensing Boards to publish what is to be known as a “licensing policy statement” for their area for a 3-year period. This statement would offer guidance and clarity on the policy on which Licensing Boards would base their decisions in implementing their functions under the Act. This is particularly important for a system which is likely to have quite a high degree of local flexibility in terms of the discretion given to Licensing Boards.
18.Subsection (2) provides that Boards have a power to issue a supplementary statement within that 3-year period. It is intended that this supplementary power would cover new or unanticipated issues.
19.Subsection (3) places a duty on Boards, when preparing their policy statements to ensure that the statements promote the 5 licensing objectives set out in section 4 and to consult on their proposed policy statements with those persons listed in paragraph (b)(i) to (iii).
20.Subsection (7) allows Scottish Ministers to specify the date by which Boards must prepare their first policy statement under the new regime.