Moray licensing applications can now be tracked online by anyone.

MORAY business owners and interested members of the public can now track licensing applications online.

Launched this week on the council’s public access portal, the facility allows anyone to view details of all business licenses granted throughout Moray – effectively acting as a public register.

Additionally, by visiting www.moray.gov.uk/lic-app users can view current information about applications which have been submitted to the licensing department for consideration.

The improvement is part of the council's programme of website development that will allow more to be done online 24/7.

Whether searching by licence type, activities, ward or even applicant or trading name, those who register with an account will be able to track licence developments, so they will be ‘alerted’ when the status of application changes, for example from ‘Consultation’ to ‘Decision’.

Registered users will also be able to add comments and make a representation or objection to a licence application. It is also planned to show any related documents to the application, for example planning documents for a new business, and view any conditions which have been added to an issued licence.

Margaret Forrest, Legal Services Manager for the council’s Litigation and Licensing section, said: “By putting online details of all of our current licence applications, our business owners and residents can view information about every application that we receive at any time.

“For businesses, 24/7 access is imperative and expected, as they won’t always be able to contact us during working hours to see how their application is progressing – just a few clicks and they can check for themselves at a time that suits.

“Meanwhile, interested people can track developments of licence applications and receive automatic reminders throughout – meaning they won’t miss any important dates if they want to comment as part of the process.”

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

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.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.