EIGHT new enforcers are to be recruited to act as the "eyes and ears" of the city's licensing board, in a move pub bosses say is a waste of money.
The squad of licensing standards officers (LSOs) in the process of being hired in Edinburgh is larger than any other licensing board in Scotland – and more than double the number being recruited in Glasgow.
The city's licensing board has forecast
the bill for the LSOs will be just above £300,000 in the current year, rising to £315,222 in 2010-11. They are being hired to ensure pubs applying for new-style liquor licences are being run in accordance with their existing licences.
While Edinburgh is to employ eight, Glasgow will only employ three full-time LSOs, while a fourth will share the role with another department.
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA), whose members operate 1500 of Scotland's 5200 pubs, said the staff should be recruited temporarily as bars would only have to apply for the new licence once, instead of every few years. It said that all 2000 of Edinburgh's licensed premises would need to apply for the licence between now and September 2009, and the LSOs should only be employed until then.
Patrick Browne, chief executive of the SBPA, said: "Glasgow has 1500 licensed premises, Edinburgh has 2000. But that difference doesn't account for going from three to eight."
He added that Edinburgh's licensing board appeared to be building up surplus to allow it to pay LSOs in the future.
The 2007-8 surplus was £47,880, while it is expected to rise to £233,142 in the current year and £165,373 in 2009-10.
"We have no issue with LSOs generally, as they can provide benefits. Our concern is that they have this major surplus and they are spending it on this," said Mr Browne.
"The bulk of the work happens between February 2008 and September 2009, but the workloads will then reduce.
"If they are satisfied that a licensed premises is run effectively, there is not a need to come back on an ongoing basis."
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Officers have a valuable role to play in offering guidance and advice, supervising compliance and providing mediation in disputes.
"We've issued guidance about the role of officers, but it is for the local council to decide how many are needed. Responsible publicans and retailers have nothing to fear."
City licensing leader Marjorie Thomas said the appointment of eight LSOs was "money well spent".
She said: "With people living above various licensed restaurants and pubs, I think it's very important that this works and that these guys go out and make this work.
"I think it is the right thing to do. We are going to start off with eight licensing officers and with an emphasis on making this work, and see how it goes.
"It's been looked at long and hard, regardless of what Glasgow is doing. They are all well qualified people."
The full article contains 509 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
