31 December 2019

Aberdeenshire reviews civic licensing fees and charges

On 6 December 2019, Aberdeenshire Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee agreed to go out to consultation to review current civic licensing fees and charges.

Various civic government licence fees will be reviewed, from Taxi and Private Hire Car Driver and Vehicle Licences, Public Entertainment Licences, Late Hours Catering, Market Operators, Metal Dealers, Second Hand Dealers, Street Traders and Window Cleaners licences. 

Fees were last increased in April 2017. This review of fees follows on from the requirement in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 that local authorities meet all costs associated with the licensing service from licensing income. 

A consultation survey is now open and can be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/H3F6D52 

The consultation will close on January 17, 2020. Follow: http://committeesinternal.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/FunctionsPage.aspx?dsid=102039&action=GetFileFromDB to view the committee report that sets out the reasoning for the review. 

Please note that even with the proposed increases, the fees charged in Aberdeenshire will still be among the lowest in Scotland. It is anticipated that responses will be reported back to the Licensing Sub-Committee in February 2020.