Licence holders in Moray encouraged to have their say on proposed fee changes

LICENCE HOLDERS in Moray are being encouraged to have their say on proposed licence fee changes.

Moray Council is looking to increase a range of licence fees to recover costs. Currently the authority processes more than 1,200 licences per year, but it costs more to process and grant applications than the money received in fees.

A number of information sessions are being held for licence holders, at which they can ask questions face-to-face about the proposals. These take place next week in Forres, Keith, Buckie, Lossiemouth and Elgin and details of how to book are available on the council's website.

Cllr Gordon Cowie, chair of Moray Council’s Licensing Committee, said that by increasing licensing fees the council will, for the future, be looking to fully recover the costs of the service.

“No profit will be made from the fee increase, we’ll simply be covering our costs. It’s only fair that we do this, otherwise taxpayers are effectively subsidising each and every application we receive.

“The revised fees reflect, as accurately as possible, the staff time and fixed costs involved with processing licence applications and will cover the cost of meeting new legal requirements.

“If you currently hold a licence, or may be affected by the changes we’ve proposed, please give us your feedback. Join us at one of the sessions or get in touch via the website.”

Information about the proposed changes can be found on Moray Council’s website: www.moray.gov.uk/licencefees.

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Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.