AN OBJECTION has been lodged by the police to a parent and teacher association (PTA) operating a bar at their upcoming ceilidh.
St Ronan’s Primary School PTA have applied to the council’s licensing board for an occasional licence for the event, due to take place on February 21.
However Chief Inspector Andy Clark, area commander for the Scottish Borders, has opposed the application, which will be decided by the licensing board at a meeting tomorrow (Friday).
Chief Insp Clark states in a letter to the board: “As this event appears to be child centred, I do not understand the need for the provision of alcohol when considering the ‘protecting children from harm’ licensing objective. The police cannot support this application.”
The organisers state in the application that around 120 people, including about 50 children, are expected to attend the function, which will be held in the school’s assembly hall.
It adds: “All children attending will be accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them.
“Bar staff will be PTA committee members who will have signed the age verification policy in line with Challenge 25.”
The application also states that children would not be allowed in to the bar area, which would be ‘clearly defined and highlighted with signage’.