Management of Alcohol Policy

Management of Alcohol Policy (including Age Verification Policy)

Policy Aims

The purpose of this policy is to outline the duty and responsibility of the club and its members when undertaking tasks on behalf of the Club in relation to the supply and sale of alcohol.

Main Objective

To meet legislative and the Licensing Authority’s requirements in respect of the supply and sale of alcohol and related matters in connection with the issuing of a Club Premises Certificate to Ruislip Bowls Club as part of the regulatory process. A Club Premises Certificate is a specific type of licence, available only to members clubs and it authorises a club to carry on a combination of activities, including the supply of alcohol by the club to club members and the sale of alcohol by the club to guests of members.

Legal Framework

The Licensing Act 2003 established a single regime for licensing premises which are used for the sale or supply of alcohol. A Club Premises Certificate is issued by the local authority and under the Licensing legislation there are specific alcohol related conditions as follows:-

· a ban on irresponsible promotions

· a ban on dispensing alcohol directly into customers’ mouths

· mandatory provision of free tap water

· the need for an age verification policy

· provision of smaller measures

General Principles and Requirements

Alcohol is only to be provided on the club premises, by or on behalf of the club, to members and their guests.
Alcohol is only to be supplied or sold between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 23.00 p.m.
Alcohol is not to be supplied or sold to visiting members of the public who are not members or guests of the club.
Alcohol shall not be served to, or be consumed on club premises by, any persons under 18 years of age. Children under 18 must be accompanied at all times when in the clubhouse.
Only someone aged 18 or older who is nominated by the club can serve alcohol or buy it for the club.
No individual member is to benefit financially from buying or selling alcohol on behalf of the club.
No person at the expense of the club is to receive any commission, percentage or other similar payment in regard to the purchase of alcohol by the club.
There is to be no arrangements for anyone to receive a financial benefit from supplying alcohol, apart from any benefit to the club or to any person indirectly from the supply giving a gain from running the club.

Irresponsible promotions

The club will not allow or support any promotions or activities which encourage people to drink more than they might ordinarily do; or that are contrary to the licensing objectives or conditions of the Licensing Authority.

Ban on dispensing alcohol directly into customers’ mouths

No alcohol is to be dispensed directly by one person into the mouth of another person; unless an individual is unable to drink without assistance due to a disability.

Mandatory provision of free tap water

Free potable water will be provided on request where it is reasonably available on the premises.

Age verification policy

The club will operate a standard of due diligence to ensure they do not sell alcohol to minors.

All individuals who appear to be under the age of 18 years of age are required to produce, on request, before being served alcohol, identification bearing their photograph, date of birth, and a holographic mark.

Examples of acceptable ID include:

· photo card driving licences

· passports or proof of age cards bearing the PASS hologram

· other forms of ID which meet the criteria laid out above are also acceptable

If such identification is not provided by a person appearing to be under the age of 18, or when it is established that the person is under that age, then alcohol is not to be supplied or sold.

All club members must be made aware of the existence and content of the age verification policy and apply it when involved in the supply or sale of alcohol to members and guests.

Smaller measures

The conditions relating to the availability of smaller measures does not apply if the alcohol in question is sold or supplied having been made up in advance ready for sale or supply in a securely closed container. The club usually only supply or sell alcohol in cans or small bottles and therefore there is no specific requirement in respect of this matter. Where standard sized bottles of wine are made available, information must be provided to the member or guest about the availability of small bottles of wine or still wine in a glass - 125ml.

Responsibilities and Communication

The purchase of alcohol for the club can only be purchased by the Catering Officer or a Committee Member. The supply and sale of alcohol by the club is managed by the committee, the members of which must be 18 years of age or over, be members of the club and have been elected by other members of the club to sit on the committee.

The Committee has responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented and for dealing appropriately with any misconduct issues that arise in respect of the provision or consumption of alcohol.

Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed by the Management Committee, one year after being introduced and then every three years or in response to significant new legislation or specific requirements of the Licensing Authority, and amended as appropriate.

Signed Print K.Scott

(Chairman)

Date 9 April 2018 Document Reviewed on: 8 August 2019

Committee Document – Author: Ken Scott