Agenda item

1.

Question from Gary Scott Paterson to Cabinet Member Housing and Safety, Councillor Peter Jeffries

(will be in attendance)

In response to a recently published article in the national press (London Metro - Monday Dec 2nd) it was reported that Dr David Humphreys from the University of Cambridge has indicated that initiatives implemented over the past decade (in particular the implemented 24-hr licensed drinking and it's subsequent failure to reduce rates of alcohol-related violence) have 'lacked evaluation or systematic appraisal'. 'While the emphasis on change and improvement should be encouraged, the enthusiasm to act needs to be balanced with careful, systematic attempts to understand the implications and effectiveness of theses interventions'.

It is paramount to highlight many presently ignored factors when implementing the LNL such as cheaper supermarket prices and the issues related to 'pre-loading' along with bars profiting via offering cheap drinks promotions bought and consumed prior to midnight. Both of which are to be considered a major contributing to many late night incidents requiring police intervention. 

Whilst not presently considered liable for the LNL to to it's rigid structure, it brings into question the 'fairness' of the LNL and it's ability to tackle any such problems regardless of how much revenue is raised by those venues continuing to trade after said time. ALL outlets selling alcohol for profit should share an equal proportion of responsibility which at present the proposed LNL does not address this issue and thereby it brings into question the effectiveness of targeting the issues raised and it's subsequent impact on those smaller venues trading fewer hours than the larger capacity clubs. 

The question

It is my personal desire that In order for the LNL to achieve a satisfactory result in it's ambition to tackle drink related problems associated with the late night drinking culture i believe we need to study the reasons in more detail. I would like to inquire as to whether or not the Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham Licensing and/or the Cheltenham Police have carried out any impact analysis surveys (and are any such figures/results available to view?) in relation to the late night trade and any increases in amounts in for example the amount of refuse created though more importantly the number of incidents requiring police assistance following the proposed LNL start time of 00.01am against those occurring due to the daytime sale and consumption of alcohol from supermarkets and bars trading from 08.00am which 'spills' over into the later hours presently ignored as a contributing factor when the LNL was first conceived.

Response from Cabinet Member

The Council is required to have regard to the cost of policing the night time economy and based on this the desirability of adopting the levy.

In relation to the costs of policing the night time economy, Council will give consideration to the costs and impact of policing the night time economy.  These include figures associated with number of incidents requiring police assistance, trends and resources required.

Premises licensed for off-sales beyond the late night supply period will be liable to pay the levy.  The Council does not have the ability to extend the late night supply period to apply before the prescribed times i.e. midnight so any premises, whether licensed for on or off sales, that is not licensed beyond midnight cannot be brought within the scope of the levy.

Cheltenham Borough Council is very aware of “pre-loading” and cost issues associated with premises licensed for on sales and those for off sales and are currently looking of ways to address some of these issues via the alcohol co-ordination group.