BISC: Brighton Council issues support for independent panel

The Council’s motion, headed ‘Fair deals for pubs’, and proposed by Green councillor Bill Randall, endorses the motion passed in the House of Commons last month which calls on the Government to establish an independent body to review self-regulation, approved by the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee.

Part of the motion reads: “It [this council] is concerned that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ proposals for reform of the pub industry relies heavily and naively on self-regulation and believes only a statutory code of practice, which includes a free-of-tie option with an open market rent review and an independent adjudicator, will resolve the corrosive contractual problems between the pub companies and their lessees.”

The council also urged the Government to introduce a minimum price for alcohol sales in England to stop the sale of cheap alcohol in shops and supermarkets.

Brighton & Hove Licensees Association (B&HLA) spokesperson, Nick Griffin, said: “B&HLA welcomes the recognition and support for struggling publicans given by our council.

“All sides recognise that change is now essential and B&HLA are playing an active role in ensuring a mutually acceptable resolution is found, and found soon, that benefits our members and helps to create a fair balance of profits between landlord and their tenants.

“We also applaud B&HLA in recognising the benefits of consuming alcohol in the safe and regulated environment that is the pub and focusing their concern onto the off-trade who continue to sell alcohol at pocket money prices.

“We hope other local authorities will take this brave stance and support their local pubs”.