Councillor shocked by board's rebuke

Jun 19 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

Drew Filson

A COUNCILLOR was shocked to see himself rebuked by a licensing board chairman.

Doon Valley councillor Drew Filson is also a pub licensee in Dalmellington.

And he was rapped for a failure to appear in front of East Ayrshire Licensing Board.

Councillor Filson couldn’t believe what he read in the Ayrshire Post.

He saw he had been reprimanded by fellow SNP councillor, Jim Buchanan, who chairs the licensing board.

Councillor Buchanan was annoyed at his colleague’s failure to appear, despite being cited to do so.

And he told the meeting: “The point has got to be made to Mr Filson. He has been cited to appear at this board and we fully expect him to appear.”

Councillor Filson was asked to be there to spell out if work, required by building standards, had been done or not.

The councillor’s Loch Doon pub has been operating under a provisional licence, under current licensing law, the board heard.

And there are only two more board meetings before the new set-up on September 1.

But Councillor Filson this week told the Ayrshire Post why he didn’t attend.

He pointed out: “The letter I received refers to The Thack Inn, Galston Road, Hurlford – a business I have no connection to.

“That’s why I didn’t go to the licensing board.

“There’s been a clerical error on the board’s part, but I’m not seeking to blame anyone.”

Councillor Filson pointed out: “I have spent around £35,000 on a refurbishment of the Loch Doon, creating a new kitchen and restaurant.

“The building standards work is simply for the normal fire precautions in the flat above the pub, which I also own, and for a ventilation fan.”

“I can assure the board that I will be at the next meeting on June 23, to report the work has been done.”

He added: “I just want to set the record straight and let my constituents know why I wasn’t there.”