The measures – contained in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and due to be introduced this autumn – will empower local communities by allowing local authorities to charge a levy for late-night licences to contribute to the cost of extra policing and extending Early Morning Restriction Orders (a power that will allow licensing authorities to restrict the sale of alcohol in all or part of their areas) to any time between midnight and 6.00 am.
The consultation asks whether some types of premises should be exempted from the new measures, or eligible for a reduction in the levy, if they are judged not to be major contributors to the type of alcohol-related crime and disorder that can blight neighbourhoods.
Such premises could be hotels, cinemas or community venues, for example.
Comment from the Home Office
Lord Henley, the minister for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction, commented: “Alcohol-related crime and disorder is a problem for many of our communities. These new measures give power back to local areas so they can respond to their individual needs.”
He continued: “However, we also recognise that some types of premises that open late to serve alcohol do not contribute to late-night drinking problems and should not be unduly penalised. That’s why we are seeking views on whether they should be exempt or see a reduction in fees.”
In conclusion, Lord Henley stated: “We are keen to hear from anyone who is affected by these new powers to help inform our plans to ensure the premises we have proposed are the right ones.”
The public, licensing authorities, the licensed trade and police are all encouraged to contribute their views.
You can access the online consultation here. The consultation period runs until 10 April 2012.
Read more about the late night levy and Early Morning Restriction Orders
Implementing the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
Key measures in the new Act include:
You can read the factsheets on the proposals introduced in the Act.
None of the alcohol provisions in the Act came into force immediately upon Royal Assent. The PRSR Act includes a commencement provision for the Government to commence any or all of the provisions when it so chooses.
Existing legislative procedure and protocol mean that measures are ordinarily brought into force on one of two common commencement dates in April or October each year, so the earliest any of the alcohol provisions will be introduced is likely to be 6 April 2012 (with more complex proposals which require more detailed secondary legislation likely to be commenced at a later date).
For more information access the Alcohol and Drugs section of the Home Office website
