Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for licensing authorities on travelling funfairs

Non-statutory guidance by Scottish Ministers for licensing authorities who deal with applications for licences in respect of travelling funfairs made under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

This guidance remains in force until such time as the Scottish Ministers remove it.

This guidance should be read in conjunction with the sectoral guidance for the tourism and hospitality industry.

The coronavirus outbreak has had an unprecedented impact on Scotland including all sectors of the economy. Those who operate funfairs including travelling funfairs were required to close down operation as a result of COVID-19.  As funfairs are permitted to operate from Level 2, the licensing arrangements for funfairs becomes more relevant.

The Scottish Government wants licensing authorities to consider sensitively, pragmatically and timeously all applications for travelling funfairs that are being made in light of the re-opening of funfairs. The requirements as laid out in the 1982 Act should of course be adhered to, but there is considerable flexibility within the relevant requirements in respect of how applications are handled including how quickly they are processed.

The Scottish Government expects licensing authorities to seek to prioritise where possible applications made for travelling funfairs.  From research undertaken by Richard Lyle MSP as part of preparation of his Travelling Funfairs (Licensing) (Scotland) Bill, it is apparent that some licensing authorities are able to process licensing applications for travelling funfairs within 21 days.  The Scottish Government suggests a timescale such as this could usefully become the aim for licensing authorities in dealing with applications as travelling funfairs are able to operate again.

Conclusion

Through the issuing of this non-statutory guidance, the Scottish Government expects a sensitive, pragmatic and timeous approach to be taken in terms of assessing licensing applications for travelling funfairs.