Local councils cool their interest in late-night levy

Legislation for the LNL and early-morning restriction orders (EMROs) came into force on 31 October, and councils could introduce a  LNL from next June.

Woking Borough Council in Surrey issued a consultation on the LNL earlier this year, which was then withdrawn because the Government had not issued its guidance on the measure.

The PMA contacted the authority last week and was told it “is still considering its options on the levy”. There are no current plans to re-issue a consultation.

Meanwhile, Northampton Borough Council also suggested it is unlikely to implement a LNL despite claiming in June it could make £160,000 from the measure.

Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of the council and Cabinet member for community safety, said: “We are still looking at the Government guidance and will be speaking to the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire before making a decision. However, early indications are that a late-night levy is not something that we would be looking to introduce in Northampton.”

Nevertheless, Islington Council in north London is set to issue a consultation on the LNL and has made a commitment to adopt it as part of its new licensing policy.

Councillor Paul Convery, Islington Council’s executive member for community safety, said: “We’re on the side of residents, who have told us they are fed up of living with alcohol-related disruption on our streets.

“In Islington, we’ve got more licensed late-night establishments per head of population than almost anywhere else in London.

“Policing, regulation and cleaning up costs a huge amount of taxpayers’ money. We’ve got to find a way of meeting the costs, and would like to use the late-night levy to help.”