Liquor Licensing Agency
The responsibilities of the district Liquor Licensing Agency is to process and issue all unopposed liquor licenses; as an agency to the Liquor Licensing Authority based in Wellington. All work is carried out as a requirement of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 and incorporates such licensing as On Licenses, Off Licenses, Temporary Authorities, and Special Licenses, amongst others.
Liquor Licensing Agency contributes to
- Safeguard public health and safety
COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PRIORITY
– in action –
Local Alcohol Policy (LAP)
What we said we would do in 2013/14
Changes in the Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (“The Act”) have meant that the Far North District Sale of Liquor Policy is no longer valid. The Act allows Councils to develop a Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) as discretionary. The Far North District Council at its meeting in December 2013 decided to proceed with development of a draft LAP.
What we did in 2013/14
The draft LAP has been adopted by Council for consultation via a Special Consultative Procedure (SCP), allowing the people of the Far North District to have an opportunity to input into the Policy.
What we plan to do in 2014/15
Council will adopt the provisional LAP which remains provisional for 30 days to allow for appeals. If there are no appeals the LAP becomes final and will guide the district Licensing Committee in its determinations.
KEY PROJECTS1
– development so far –
Alcohol Reform Bill
What we said we would do in 2013/14
Manage the gradual transition brought about by the anticipated Alcohol Reform Bill introduction. Operate dual administration systems during the transition period.
What we did in 2013/14
The Society of Local Government Managers introduced a number of Webinar training sessions staged between March and July 2013, to detail the changes of legislation, to which staff and elected members have participated.
A District Licensing Committee was established in December 2013 to consider license and certificate applications.
What we plan to do in 2014/15
Manage the transition brought about by the enactment of the Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. Establish and implement processes for reporting to the District Licensing Committee
Far North Alcohol Team (FNAT)
What we said we would do in 2013/14
Continue to represent Council as an active member of the Far North Alcohol team (FNAT).
What we did in 2013/14
The District Licensing Inspector continues to attend FNAT Steering Committee meetings regularly. The group provides for the requirements of section 295 of the Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 “Duty to Collaborate” - The Police, Inspectors, and Medical Officers of Health within each territorial authority’s district must establish and maintain arrangements with each other to ensure the ongoing monitoring of licences and the enforcement of this Act; and work together to develop and implement strategies for the reduction of alcohol-related harm.
What we plan to do in 2014/15
Continue to represent Council as an active member of the Far North Alcohol team (FNAT).
Host Responsibility Inspections
What we said we would do in 2013/14
Increase Host Responsibility inspections.
What we did in 2013/14
Inspecting licensed premises to ensure compliance with such requirements as signage, Duty Managers Certificates etc;
What we plan to do in 2014/15
Increase Host Responsibility inspections.
COMPLETED
– what we have achieved in 2013/14 –
- The transition from the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 to the Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 was successfully completed and is now fully operational.
CHALLENGES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS
– where are we now? –
- Limited workforce allocated to monitoring compliance for licenced premises. However, work capacity has been rectified to achieve this in 2014/15.
1 Please refer to the Liquor Licensing Agency section of the Long-Term Plan (LTP) 2012/13 and the Annual Plans 2013/14 and 2014/15 for further information on priorities