Alcohol disorder zones a quick fix' say councils
by Tony Halstead
Local councils say the creationof alcohol disorder zones (ADZs) in town and city centres represent a "quick fix" and will not address the long-term problems of binge-drinking.
The Local Government Association (LGA) also believes that the zones will have a negative impact on communities and should be re-named.
The association's views are contained in a joint response with Lacors the Local Authorities Co-ordinator of Regulatory Services to the Government's Responsible Drinking discussion document.
While the LGA welcomes the principle of ADZs and other measures to tackle alcohol disorder problems, it has expressed concern about how these will be set up and managed.
It has called for longer-term measures to be available, based on the successful Business Improvement Districts.
The LGA suggests any such areas should be named alcohol management zones.
"Local authorities welcome much of what the Home Office has put forward but is concerned about how such things as ADZs will run in practice," said LGA spokeswoman Trish O'Flynn.
"The view was that these could only be short-term answers to specific problems and consideration has to be given to longer-term solutions."
The association also calls for more information on how financial penalties and payments to finance these zones are collected.
It suggests that all premises situated in a designated zone whose primary business is the sale of alcohol should make a contribution based on their capacity.
"There should be the option to ask other licensed premises, such as off-licences and other establishments with bars, to make a reasonable contribution," the LGA said.
"The feeling was that it will be difficult to pinpoint specific premises in an area where disorder is widespread.
"If one premises is a clear focal point for trouble then its licence should be revoked under powers already available to the police," O'Flynn explained.
The LGA is also calling for a clear action plan for each zone before it is set up, which it feels will be crucial to the success of the scheme.
"Basically the LGA is urging that more attention is paid to the mechanics of how an ADZ would operate, together with a clear focus on alternative projects to police' an area in the longer term," O'Flynn said.
