The Council is consulting with the public and communities in East Dunbartonshire in order to help modernise the Public Entertainment Licence (PEL) process.
PELs are required for a range of activities, premises and events - such as fireworks displays, highland games and fairgrounds.
The Council’s current Resolution relating to PELs is being reviewed to ensure greater clarity, with a number of issues raised by applicants in the past - particularly regarding exemptions.
The Council's Policy and Resources Committee met recently and agreed to begin a programme of consultation, which will run until 8 March 2019.
In particular, officers will look at streamlining the application process for community and voluntary groups, and to provide clarity as to when a PEL is or is not required. Consideration will also be given to the duration of licences and a tiered approach to fees, depending on the event.
Exemptions include events or activities organised by a charity or community group, which are not commercial in nature and are intended to raise funds.
Joint Leader, Councillor Vaughan Moody, said, "The draft Resolution covers events and activities which need to be licensed in order to secure public safety or which are commercial in nature. It aims to remove uncertainty as regards exemptions and to provide flexibility for communities to organise smaller scale/informal events with a minimum of red tape."
Joint Leader, Councillor Andrew Polson, added, "It is important that there is detailed and meaningful engagement with communities and groups regarding the draft Resolution. For that reason, and taking account of the festive break, the consultation period is being extended from 28 days to just short of three months - ending on 8 March 2019. Please have your say."
To get involved, visit https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/public-entertainment-licenses-consultation.
The consultation process will include sessions with community councils, East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action and other interested groups, as well as meetings with internal stakeholders and organisations including Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue.
A report will be brought back to committee on the outcome of the consultation process, and to seek approval of the final form of the draft Resolution and supporting information.
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