Agenda item

8.1

The Committee received a report of the Chief Licensing Officer to notify Members of information regarding the new Alcohol Strategy recently launched by the Government.

8.2

It was noted that the Government had unveiled their new Alcohol Strategy on Friday 23^rdMarch 2012, which they claimed to be a ‘radical plan’ to improve attitudes regarding irresponsible drinking, whilst empowering communities to reclaim their High Streets. The new Strategy set out proposals for tougher measures against the ‘binge drinking’ culture, and to cut alcohol fuelled violence and disorder currently affecting communities, as well as attempting to reduce the number of people drinking to harmful levels. It was the Government’s ambition that the alcohol strategy would radically reshape the approach to alcohol and reduce the number of people drinking to excess.

8.3

Steve Lonnia, Chief Licensing Officer, commented that the Strategy was very much aimed at encouraging increased partnership working between the Local Authority and the NHS, and that plans for the Late Night Levy, previously mentioned at this meeting, could also be used to tackle alcohol-related crime. There were also plans for a minimum unit price for the sale of alcohol, and Extended Early Morning Restriction Orders, to tackle binge drinking.

8.4

Many of the initiatives mentioned in the report, such as bans on multi-buy promotions, the Best Bar None certificate and the Purple Flag award, were already in operation in Sheffield, as well as consistent challenge and effective enforcement led by the Licensing Authority.

8.5

Mr. Lonnia noted that there had been no prosecutions made in Sheffield for the offence of serving alcohol to someone who was already drunk, but he emphasised that this was an offence which was extremely difficult to prove.

8.6

Mr. Lonnia suggested that some of the monies raised by the Late Night Levy could be used to direct Police resources towards having a permanent presence at the Accident and Emergency department of hospitals on weekends, as many of the patients there had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol.

8.7

Mr. Lonnia reported that there would be further consultations and more detailed reports brought to Committee upon minimum alcohol price and multi-buy options, as well as a further report upon anti-fraud measures for illicit alcohol.

8.8

Members were disappointed that the report did not make reference to the reasons why people were binge drinking, and what could be done to tackle the root problems of the cause rather than putting measures in place which might not address the key issues. 

8.9

RESOLVED: That the Committee;

(a) notes the contents of the report now submitted;

(b) notes that the Chair of the Licensing Committee and the Chief Licensing Officer had met to hold preliminary discussions with the Cabinet Member responsible for Licensing issues, Councillor Isobel Bowler, where it had been agreed that it was necessary to investigate the implications of the Government Alcohol Strategy;    

(c) approves the establishment of a task and finish multi-agency working party, to include representatives from Planning, South Yorkshire Police, the Health Authority, Ward Members, local business and local community, and any other relevant representatives, with the remit to focus upon the night-time economy within the City Centre and the Ecclesall Road area, and to make any appropriate comments and suggestions;

(d) requests that the Licensing pages of the Council website be given a higher profile, and

(e) requests that an evening visit to late night establishments for Committee Members be arranged by Licensing Officers as soon as possible.