AGENDA ITEM NO. 2

REPORT TO:Development Control and Licensing Committee

DATE:18th September 2000

REPORTING OFFICER:Chief Executive

SUBJECT:Byelaws to Control the Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor in Designated Places

WARDS:Boroughwide

1.PURPOSE OF REPORT

To inform Members of the work undertaken to date by the Policy (Alcohol Byelaws) Group.

2.RECOMMENDED that:

(1)Wednesday 25th October 2000 be agreed as the closing date for public consultation; and

(2)a further report be submitted to the Committee at its next meeting in November.

3.SUPPORTING INFORMATION

3.1The Policy Group has initiated an extensive consultation process involving a range of interested and affected parties including the general public. A list of consultees is set out in Appendix 1.

3.2The consultation process has revealed strong support for some controls to be introduced. Respondees have highlighted the depth of concern locally on this issue.

3.3A variety of areas have been identified which could potentially be covered by the Byelaws. They include the town centres, local estates, shop frontages and open space areas. Appendix 2 lists the areas which have been identified to date. Members should appreciate that the mere fact that an area has been identified as a "hot spot" or "problem area" does not necessarily mean that it will automatically be classified as a designated area under the Byelaws. The Policy Group will need to be convinced of the need for designation in each case.

3.4The Policy Group has had two presentations from Councils where Byelaws have been successfully introduced, namely Chester and Blackpool. The key lesson from these experiences is that the Byelaws work and are effective. To secure adoption it is essential to have:

  • Proof of need - hard data, detailed logging and gathering of evidence, recording incidents and identifying "hot spots";
  • Demonstrable public support;
  • A strong partnership with the Police;
  • A visible, high impact publicity campaign with effective signage;
  • Political leadership prepared to find growth budget funding for signage and associated costs.

3.5The Policy Group is satisfied that the Byelaws can make a difference and are keen to complete the pre-approval work. They have therefore recommended that the 25th October 2000 be agreed as the closing date for public consultation.

3.6The results of the consultation process have highlighted the fragmented and wide ranging nature of the problem in Halton. The high level of geographically distinct incident spots has raised concern that there may be a serious risk of displacement arising with movement from a single designated area to nearby undesignated streets, alleyways and public spaces. To avoid this the Group have requested that a borough wide approach be adopted. The Home Office have indicated that where strong evidence of a significant and wide ranging problem exists a Byelaw which covers the whole of the built-up area of a district or borough can be considered. Tameside were successful in securing this having excluded certain selected areas such as moorland and reservoirs. The Policy Group will need to consider whether with a similar borough-wide approach to control certain areas can reasonably be exempted.

3.7The Policy Group has been advised that if the Council decide to proceed a budget will need to be identified to pay for the cost of signage and publicity. Clear and unambiguous signs would need to be placed at the approaches to designated areas and repeated within them. Early indications are that a minimum of 80 signs may be required at an approximate cost of £5,000. A strong publicity campaign is recommended, the cost of this would be additional to any signage costs.

3.8The practicalities associated with enforcing the Byelaw are being addressed. The model Byelaw under consideration makes it an offence for any person to continue to consume intoxicating liquor in a designated place after being warned by a constable not to do so. The model Byelaw further contains a power for a constable to confiscate any open glass bottle, can or glass where a person refuses to comply with the request to hand over or deposit such bottle, can or glass. The police have indicated that such powers would assist them in combating under-age drinking, reducing public drunkenness and preventing alcohol-related violence.

3.9Police support is essential to secure the Byelaws' enforcement. The police have been closely involved in the work of the Policy Group and a police presentation is scheduled for the next Group meeting on 12th October.

3.10The Policy Group is aware that the Byelaws are not a quick-fix solution. It is acknowledged that the Byelaws will form part of a wider Council strategy to build safer communities through amongst other things changing cultural attitudes. If introduced the Byelaws will merely form one part of the Council’s overall response to the problem. In particular, the Policy Group have recommended that corporate support be given to the Proof of Age Card Scheme being promoted by the Council's Consumer Protection Division.

4.POLICY AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS

4.1Public drunkenness can give rise to serious problems of disorderly conduct, nuisance, criminal damage and alcohol-related assaults. The Byelaws will assist in building safer communities by reducing misbehaviour in specified public places. Weight will be given to human rights considerations. In determining the extent of the designated areas Members will need to be satisfied that the Byelaw controls are necessary and justified.

4.2There are significant costs associated with signage and publicity and if the Council decides to proceed a budget growth item will need to be identified to meet this expenditure.

APPENDIX 1

LOCAL CONSULTATION – CONSULTEES: SUMMARY RESPONSES

Contact

/ Date Contacted / Date Responded
HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS
Riverside Housing Association / 13th July 2000
William Sutton Trust / 13th July 2000 / 24th July 2000
Liver Housing Association / 13th July 2000 / 24th July 2000
CDS (Liverpool) Ltd / 13th July 2000 / 27th July 2000
Liverpool Housing Trust / 13th July 2000
Cosmopolitan / 13th July 2000 / 27th July 2000

BREWERS

Scottish & Newcastle Breweries / 18th July 2000
Greenalls Breweries / 18th July 2000
Stanford Management / 18th July 2000 / 2nd August 2000
Burtonwood Breweries Plc / 18th July 2000 / 27th July 2000
Bass Breweries / 18th July 2000 / 9th August 2000
Paramount Inns / 20th July 2000
Punch Taverns / 20th July 2000
PRIMARY CARE GROUPS
Widnes PCG / 20th July 2000
Reminded on 31.8.00
Runcorn PCG / 20th July 2000
Reminded on 31.8.00 / 4th September 2000
ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY CENTRES
Warrington Hospital NHS Trust / 20th July 2000 / 28th July 2000
Halton General Hospital / 20th July 2000
Whiston Hospital / 20th July 2000 / 29th August 2000
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust / 20th July 2000
AMBULANCE SERVICES
Mersey Regional Ambulance Service / 11th August 2000

SUPERMARKETS

Asda Stores Ltd / 24th July 2000
Morrisons Supermarkets / 24th July 2000
OFF LICENCES: MANAGEMENT GROUPS
Parisa Group / 24th July 2000
United Northwest Co-Ops / 24th July 2000
First Quench / 24th July 2000 / 3rd August 2000

OFF LICENCES

Drinks Cabin
37 Queens Avenue / 24th July 2000
Drinks Cabin
13 Grangeway / 24th July 2000
Drinks Cabin
36a Langdale Road / 24th July 2000
A.D. Wines & Spirits
53 Widnes Road / 24th July 2000
Bargain Booze
74 Albert Road / 24th July 2000 / 28th July 2000
Bargain Booze
8 High Street / 24th July 2000
Cellar 5
122 Moorfields Road / 24th July 2000
Cellar 5
32 Church Street / 24th July 2000
M. Robinson Off Licence
169 Albert Road / 24th July 2000
Spar
55 Halton View Road / 24th July 2000
Cronton Off Licence / 24th July 2000
TENANTS ASSOCIATIONS/FEDERATION
John Rimmer
Halton Tenants Federation / 11th August 2000
Montgomery Road Tenants Association / 11th August 2000
Mrs. Joyce Turner
Town Hall Residents Association / 11th August 2000
Newbank and Manor Tenants Association / 11th August 2000
Mr. Joe Hushin
Runcorn Town Tenants Association / 11th August 2000
Mr. Tommy Glynn
Kingsway Tenants and Residents / 11th August 2000
Mrs. Maureen MacFarland
Stewards Avenue Tenants and Residents / 11th August 2000
Ms. Joan McHale
Industrial Housing Tenants Association / 11th August 2000 / 21st August 2000
Ms. Debbie Townsend
Factory Lane and Boxgrove Close Residents Association / 11th August 2000
Mr. Jim Reilly
Hargreaves Court Tenants Association / 11th August 2000
Ms. Jackie Whitfield
Lambert Court Tenants Association / 11th August 2000
Ms. Amy Smith
Bellhouse Road Tenants Association / 11th August 2000
Mr. Les Shone
Crow Wood Tenants Association / 11th August 2000
Mrs. Joyce Turner
Town Hall Residents Association / 11th August 2000
Hough Green Residents Association / 11th August 2000 / 14th August 2000
Castlefields Residents Association / 11th August 2000 / 15th August 2000
Ms. Pam Wallace
West Bank Forum / 11th August 2000
Windmill Hill Forum / 8th September 2000
Windmill Hill residents Association / 8th September 2000

COUNCILLORS

Temple

/ 28th June 2000 / 29th June 2000

Logan

/ 28th June 2000 / 3rd July 2000

Findon

/ 28th June 2000

Hill

/ 28th June 2000

Jones B

/ 28th June 2000 / 1st July 2000

Ratcliffe

/ 28th June 2000

Lowe

/ 28th June 2000

Wright

/ 28th June 2000

Lloyd Jones

/ 28th June 2000

Redican

/ 28th June 2000

Waring

/ 28th June 2000

Osborne

/ 30th June 2000

Murphy

/ 30th June 2000 / 21st June 2000

Loftus

/ 30th June 2000

Naylor

/ 30th June 2000 / 1st July 2000

Cole

/ 30th June 2000 / 21st June 2000

Gilligan

/ 30th June 2000 / 21st June 2000

Morley J

/ 30th June 2000

Jones E

/ 30th June 2000 / 21st June 2000

Nolan

/ 30th June 2000

Parker

/ 30th June 2000 / 21st June 2000

Pearce

/ 30th June 2000 / 21st June 2000

Wainwright

/ 30th June 2000

Stockton

/ 30th June 2000

Parker

/ 30th June 2000 / 21st June 2000

McInerney

/ 30th June 2000

Reynolds

/ 30th June 2000 / 1st July 2000

Cargill D

/ 30th June 2000 / 1st July 2000

Hodgkinson

/ 30th June 2000 / 2nd July 2000

McClure

/ 30th June 2000

Harris

/ 5th July 2000 / 5th July 2000

Fraser

/ 24th August 2000

Broome

/ 24th August 2000

Philbin

/ 24th August 2000 / 23rd August 2000

Clarke

/ 24th August 2000

Middlemass

/ 24th August 2000

Cargill E

/ 24th August 2000 / 23rd August 2000

Smith

/ 24th August 2000

Morley K

/ 24th August 2000

Glover

/ 24th August 2000

Moylon

/ 24th August 2000

Carter

/ 24th August 2000

Gleave

/ 24th August 2000

Leadbetter

/ 24th August 2000

Nyland

/ 24th August 2000

Hodgett

/ 24th August 2000

Tyrrell

/ 24th August 2000

Pearsall

/ 24th August 2000

Polhill

/ 24th August 2000

Massey

/ 24th August 2000

Nelson

/ 24th August 2000 / 29th August 2000

Devaney

/ 24th August 2000

Taylor

/ 24th August 2000

Swain

/ 24th August 2000

Hignett

/ 24th August 2000

McDermott

/ 24th August 2000 / 1st September 2000

POLICE

Superintendent Helen King

/ 12th April 2000 / 26th May 2000

Inspector Clarke

/ 12th April 2000 / 26th May 2000

MAGISTRATES’ COURT

Clerk to the Local Licensing Justices

/ 11th August 2000

PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS

Mr. P. J. Cronin

/ 17th August 2000 / 6th September 2000

Halton Homes

/ 17th August 2000 / 4th September 2000

House of Names

/ 17th August 2000

Mrs. V. Heeley

/ 17th August 2000

Bests Estate Agents

/ 17th August 2000

H.M. CUSTOMS & EXCISE

/ 29th August 2000

HIGHWAY AUTHORITY

/ 29th August 2000

RECREATION/COMMUNITY CENTRES

Widnes Resource Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Chapelfield Community Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Brookvale Recreation Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Ditton Community Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Castlefields Community Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Murdishaw Play Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Windmill Hill Play Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Woodlands Play Centre

/ 30th August 2000

Upton Community Centre

/ 30th August 2000 / 4th September 2000

Waterloo Community Centre

/ 30th August 2000
LICENSED PREMISES IDENTIFIED BY JOHN DOWNES

Ascot Stores

/ 30th August 2000

Denise’s

/ 30th August 2000

Newtown Off Licence

/ 30th August 2000

The Angel Hotel

/ 30th August 2000

The Swan Inn

/ 30th August 2000

GENERAL PUBLIC

/

PRESS RELEASE

Mr. & Mrs. Hankin – 2a Ash Lane, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 11th August 2000
Mrs. Handley – 103 Baguley Avenue, Widnes / 10th July 2000 / 11th July 2000
Mrs. Hazel George – 36 Fairfield Road, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 14th August 2000

Mr. D. E. George – Surrey Street Garage, Runcorn

/ 7th August 2000 / 14th August 2000
Mr. Joseph Geaney – 68 Netherfield, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 14th August 2000
Mr. S. L. Christian – 7Standish Court, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 14th August 2000
Mr. David Speakman – 107 Baguley Avenue, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 15th August 2000
Mr. K. Gilbert – 82 Greenway Road, Runcorn / 7th August 2000 / 15th August 2000
Helen Flanagan – 224 Ditchfield Road, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 15th August 2000
Fr. Bernard Forshaw – St. Martins Presbytery, 27 Micklegate, Runcorn / 7th August 2000 / 16th August 2000
Mr. Ian Deakin – 178 Warrington Road, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 21st August 2000
Mr. Joe Allen – 1 Cornwall Road, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 18th August 2000
Mr. A. Cleworth – 99 Greenway Road, Runcorn / 7th August 2000 / 22nd August 2000
Mrs. M. Hilditch – 42 Milton Road, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 22nd August 2000
Angela Williams – 37 Atterbury Close, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 29th August 2000
Mrs. J. Hopkins – 1 Baker Road, Runcorn / 7th August 2000 / 31st August 2000
Thrifty – 52-54 Albert Road, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 30th August 200
D. W. Steadman (Churchwardenat St. Ambrose P.C.C.) – 44 Swinford Avenue, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 24th August 2000
Allyson Hall – 305 Cherrysutton, Widnes / 7th August 2000 / 25th August 2000
Anonymous Widnes resident. Chestnut Lodge area / 7th August 2000 / 20th August 2000
Anonymous Widnes resident. Hough Green area / 7th August 2000 / 30th August 2000

APPENDIX 2

AREAS IDENTIFIED FROM THE CONSULTATION

RUNCORN

Consultee / Areas identified
Liver Housing Association / Brookvale Estate generally
Play area at Ainley Close
Play area at Sanders Hey Close
Brookvale Avenue North near busway
Local shops in Padstow Sqaure
Cosmopolitan Housing Association / Halton Lodge Shopping Centre
Halton Lodge car park next to Shopping Centre
CDS Housing / Roads between Roman Close to De Lacy Woods, Castlefields
Play area on Centurion Row
Play area on Caesars Close
Play area on Nigel Walk
De Lacy Wood
Castlefield’s Shopping Centre
Castlefield’s busway stops
Fort play area on The Brow
Near the Tan House flats
Halton Homes / Runcorn Old Town
Bottom of High Street
Siobhan Kirk (Halton Libraries) / Benches outside Halton Lea Library
Open space beneath Library
Gary Fearon (Runcorn Housing Manager) / Russell Road shops
Castle Rise path and shops
Grangeway shops
Centenary & Coronation House
Dudley Avenue
Runcorn Town Hall grounds
Ros Wong (Widnes East Housing Manager) / Castle Rise play area
Grangeway, Grange Estate
Sycamore Road
Boston Avenue/Lavender Close by lock-up garages
Near off-licence on Halton Road
Sea Lane
Councillor Hodgkinson / Runcorn Hill & The Heath
Near Highland Road bungalows
Footpath between Cheltenham Crescent and Cartmell Close
Junction of Busway with Clifton Road
Councillor Lowe & Findon / Russell Road and churchyards
Councillor Nelson / Halton Brook Estate by the Burma Star and playing field
Morval Close/Lavender Close garages
Bottom of Sea Lane and subways under Expressway
Halton Road
Shop on Picton Avenue
Councillor Dave Cargill / Murdishaw local centre between rear of shops and the church
Wooded area between rear of Moorings Close and Gorsewood School
Councillor Ellen Cargill / Windmill Hill. Area between Hill Avenue west and busway
Mr. D. E. George – Surrey Street Garage, Runcorn / Off Licence and chip shop at Surrey Street
Castlefields Residents Association / Castlefields area
Mr. K. Gilbert – 82 Greenway Road, Runcorn / Greenway Road
York Street
New Street
Surrey Street
Shaw Street
Fr. Bernard Forshaw – St. Martins Presbytery, 27 Micklegate, Runcorn / Murdishaw Centre
Outside the Co-op Late Shop
Outside Jolly Brewer Public House
Mr. A. Cleworth – 99 Greenway Road, Runcorn / Greenway Road
York Street
New Street
Surrey Street
Shaw Street
Mrs. J. Hopkins – 1 Baker Road, Runcorn / St. Paul’s Church at Russell Road

WIDNES

Consultee / Areas identified
CDS Housing / Victoria Park
Widnes Town Centre
Near night clubs
Halton Homes / Widnes Town Centre
West Bank area
Anne McCormick (Widnes West Housing Manager) / Ditton Community Centre, Dundalk Road
Bechers shops
Halebank
Lodge Road/Queens Avenue – Ditton office car park
Dewent Road
Sporting Ford Pub, Hough Green Road
Sunningdale Avenue/Avondale Drive
Brookdale
Chestnut Lodge shops
Ros Wong (Widnes East Housing Manager) / Blackburn Avenue, Halebank
Clapgate Crescent, Halebank
Dundalk Road
Victoria Park
Outside Woolworths under gazebo
Outside shop on Lugsdale Road
Margaret Court
Lacey Court
Lacey Street
Stewards Avenue
Outside off-licence on Lowerhouse Lane
From Derby Road to Acacia Avenue
Outside flats on Houghton Street
Near Spar off-licence on Halton View Road
Councillor Reynolds / Peelhouse Lane/Farnworth Street near late shop
Bridge at Cornwall Road
Shop area at Halton View/Edward Street/Castle Street
Councillor McDermott / Chestnut Lodge/Ball O Ditton
Queens Avenue shops
Late shop/Chapelfields Clinic at Liverpool Road
Alexander Drive shops
Councillor McInerney / Grave Yard off Pit Lane
Councillor E. Jones & Councillor Philbin / Deacon Road
Appleton Village
Regent Road
Cooper Street
Sayce Street
Chester Street
Ross Street
Saxon Terrace
Midland Street
Play area and grass area off Bradley Way
Councillor Harris / Hard Surfaces area adjacent to play area on King George V playing field
Bechers shops
Prescott Road playing fields
Widnes Town Centre
Chestnutt Lodge
Mr. Joseph Geaney – 68 Netherfield, Widnes / Gazebo outside Woolworths
Mr. S. L. Christian – 7Standish Court, Widnes / Junction between Hale Road and Alexander Drive
Hough Green Residents Association / Wall outside Hough Green Social Club
Junction of Ditchfield Road and Liverpool Road
Mr. David Speakman – 107 Baguley Avenue, Widnes / Playing field at Halebank
Helen Flanagan – 224 Ditchfield Road, Widnes / Outside Hough Green Social Club
Church grounds
Mr. Ian Deakin – 178 Warrington Road, Widnes / Halton View area
St. Ambrose Church
Mr. Joe Allen – 1 Cornwall Road, Widnes / Footbridge connecting Cornwall Road and Acacia Avenue
Mrs. M. Hilditch – 42 Milton Road, Widnes / St. Bedes Catholic Club
Victoria Court
Angela Williams – 37 Atterbury Close, Widnes / Grass area on Hough Green Road opposite 4 Topped Oak
Anonymous resident of the Chestnut Lodge area / Passage way between Radnor Drive and Liverpool Road
Outside Huttons at Chestnut Lodge
Anonymous resident of the Hough Green area / Hough Green Social Club car park
St. Michael’s Church grounds
Bridge at Hough Green Station
Shopping area near Upton Community Centre
Spar Off License on Upton estate
Owner and employees of Thrifty – 52-54 Albert Road, Widnes / Widnes Town Centre
Widnes Road
Albert Road
D. W. Steadman (Church Warden at St. Ambrose P.C.C.) – 44 Swinford Avenue, Widnes / Warrington Road
Halton View Road
Hargreaves Court
St. Ambrose Church grounds
Allyson Hall – Cherrysutton, Widnes / Shops at Bechers
Hough Green Station
Adele Clarke - Upton Community Centre / Outside Upton Community Centre

HALE

Consultee

/

Areas identified

Councillor Naylor / Between Childe of Hale Hotel and the Wellington Hotel
Hale Park
Hale Cricket Club and nearby woods
Hale Village Hall

DEV/18/9/8727/AC3