A bit worrying…
Its been a year since the new laws and although the predicted carnage didn’t actually happen, many areas report no improvement in the level of problems associated with binge-drinking/violence..
cops also claim they need more resources to pick up the pieces as its displaced the violence to later in the night…
And now there are claims from local councils that this experiment is costing more to the public purse..
Drink laws ‘hit council budgets’
The new round-the-clock drinking laws in England and Wales will leave town halls with a £95m budget shortfall, local authority leaders have said.
The Local Government Association said the three-year deficit could have an impact on future council tax bills.
Councils took over licensing from magistrates when the 2003 Licensing Act came into force in November 2005.
The government intended income from fees would cover administration and enforcement costs.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is due to release the findings of an independent panel led by Lord Elton which examined the 2003 act.
But according to the LGA, the government had failed to meet assurances that the costs would not impact on council finances.
“Councils have pressed ministers at every possible opportunity to fulfil their pledge that the new licensing regime would not leave council taxpayers out of pocket,” said LGA chairman Lord Bruce-Lockhart.
“Despite repeated assurances to the contrary, local authorities have been left facing a financial black hole.”
Review power
The act allowed pubs, bars and clubs to apply to extend their drinking hours.
Premises selling food or alcohol after 2300 all needed to apply for a new licence, even if they did not intend to change their opening hours.
Residents are also now able to ask local authorities to review licences.
The LGA said figures indicated councils had spent £36.4m on implementing and enforcing the Act in the 2004-5 financial year, £88.8m in the following 12 months and £75.4m this year.
Income from licensing fees over the three years totalled just over £106m, it said.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6297009.stm
Published: 2007/01/25 01:15:42 GMT
© BBC MMVII
