The Aberdeenshire Licensing Board was scheduled to consider a range of licensing applications and reports. These included applications for provisional and full premises licences, major variations to existing licences, and reviews of personal licences. The Board was also scheduled to consider the Chief Constable's annual report and a review of the combined scheme of delegation for licensing functions.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The Board was scheduled to consider its duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010¹. This duty requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between those who share protected characteristics and those who do not. Members were scheduled to consider any Integrated Impact Assessments provided within reports to inform their decisions.

Applications for Provisional/Premises Licences (Non-Contentious)

The Board was scheduled to consider several non-contentious applications for provisional and full premises licences. These included applications for:

• Deans of Huntly Limited at Linnorie Park Warehouse, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, AB54 4PT. This application was for a warehouse and distribution site that would also include the online sale of duty-paid alcohol.
• Co-operative Group Food Ltd for land at Aden Meadows, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, AB42 5BT. This application was for a new convenience store that would offer home deliveries of alcohol.
• SRJ Convenience Ltd at Turriff Service Station, Station Road, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 4ER. This application was for a petrol station, forecourt, and convenience store that would also offer home delivery of alcohol.
• Tilray Brands UK Ltd for BrewDog, 20-22 Market Place, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 3XN. This application was for a premises that would provide restaurant facilities, bar meals, and outdoor drinking areas.

The report pack indicated that for these applications, there were no valid objections, and the proposed hours and activities were within the Board's general policy. Recommended local conditions were listed, and the applicants had agreed to these.

Applications for Major Variation (Non-Contentious)

The Board was scheduled to consider several non-contentious applications for major variations to existing premises licences. These included applications for:

• Inverurie Whisky Shop Ltd at 52 North Street, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 4RS, trading as The Foghouse. This application proposed extending licensed hours, extending the licensed area to include a retail area and tasting room, and adding activities such as tasting events and ticketed events.
• Tarland Golf Club, Aberdeen Road, Tarland, Aberdeenshire, AB34 4TB. This application sought to add off-sales, amend terminal on-sale hours, and add activities such as bingo, quizzes, and live music. It also proposed amending children's access and adding an outdoor area.

The report pack indicated that for these applications, there were no valid objections, and the proposed changes were within the Board's policy. Recommended local conditions were listed, and the applicants had agreed to these.

Application for Major Variation - The Ship Inn

The Board was scheduled to consider a major variation application for The Ship Inn, 5 Shorehead, Stonehaven, AB39 2JY. This application was noted as being outwith the terms of the Board's current policy on licensing hours, specifically concerning operating hours exceeding 14 hours. The applicant was scheduled to demonstrate that the additional requested hours were appropriate and would not be inconsistent with the licensing objectives². The Licensing Standards Officer³ had made a representation concerning the proposed hours.

Repeat Occasionals

The Board was scheduled to consider several repeated applications for occasional licences for Polski Kubus Sklep at 20 Saltoun Square, Fraserburgh, AB43 9DA. These applications were brought before the Board due to the repeated nature of the requests, which fell under the Board's policy on repeated occasional licence applications. The policy states that such applications will not generally be considered suitable for grant under delegated authority and will require a hearing. The Board was scheduled to consider whether there was sufficient evidence of movement towards a full premises licence application or an adequate explanation for why one was not being pursued.

The Board was also scheduled to consider repeated occasional licence applications for Casa Luisa, 25 Market Square, Stonehaven, AB39 2BL. Similar to the Fraserburgh applications, these were brought before the Board due to their repeated nature and the Board's policy on such matters. The Licensing Standards Officer had made a representation concerning these applications.

Additionally, the Board was scheduled to consider repeated occasional licence applications for Dukes, 59 Marischal Street, Peterhead, AB42 1PR. These applications were also subject to the Board's policy on repeated occasional licences, and the Licensing Standards Officer had made a representation. A note indicated that a provisional premises licence application for Dukes was currently being processed and was anticipated to be determined at a future Board meeting.

Finally, the Board was scheduled to consider an occasional licence application for Beach Café, Fraserburgh, by Stacey Rollo. This application was also subject to the Board's policy on repeated occasional licences due to a history of previous applications. The Licensing Standards Officer had made a representation. The report noted that the dates sought in the application had passed and recommended granting the licence for 14 days from the date of the Board meeting if approved.

Review of Personal Licences

The Board was scheduled to consider reviews of personal licences for:

• Abeyratne
• Forbes

These reviews would likely involve considering whether the licence holders remained fit and proper persons to hold a personal licence, in line with the licensing objectives.

Chief Constable's Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to consider the Chief Constable's Annual Report for 2025/2026⁴. This report would likely provide an overview of policing activities related to licensing and alcohol-related harm within the Aberdeenshire area.

Review of Combined Scheme of Delegation

The Board was scheduled to consider a review of its Combined Scheme of Delegation⁵. This scheme outlines which licensing functions are reserved for the Board's decision and which can be delegated to officers. The review aimed to address identified gaps in the existing scheme, particularly concerning matters where the legislation indicates a hearing may be held. The Board was asked to approve the revised scheme, which would then be published online.