To consider a presentation from the Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health.

 The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health, Mrs Julie Webster, Deputy Director of Public Health and Mrs Beverly Dajani, Alcohol Strategy Manager regarding ‘Developing Wirral’s approach to alcohol misuse.

Ms Fiona Johnstone, Director of Policy, Performance and Public Health informed Members that a consultation exercise was currently being undertaken on the National Alcohol strategy by the Home Office; and that the Wirral Alcohol Strategy had been updated and was due to be launched in February.

The presentation outlined the current situation on Wirral with regard to alcohol misuse, the key elements of the National Strategy and the plans to achieve them; action expected from local areas and information regarding the consultation on the National Strategy. The presentation further outlined local work being undertaken to tackle alcohol misuse.

The consultation on the national strategy consultation was launched by the Government on 28 November 2012 for a ten week period; closing date for submissions is 6 February 2013, the consultation is seeking feedback on five policy areas as follows :-

·  A minimum unit price for alcohol

·  A ban on multi-buy promotions in the off trade

·  Reviewing the mandatory licensing conditions

·  Health as a licensing objective for cumulative impact policies

·  Freeing up responsible businesses

Members commented that in relation to licensing and planning applications,  licensing objectives do not include cumulative impact, therefore, Licensing Committee had no power to limit the amount of licensed premises in an area.

Ms Johnstone indicated that there had been significant investment in alcohol treatment and care services in recent years and this had shown a levelling in the amount of admissions to hospitals but that there were still significant pressures in the health and social care system as a result of alcohol misuse.

Mrs Webster reported that there was significant support for a minimum price of 50p per alcohol unit in Merseyside and the North West. The introduction of a minimum unit price had been modelled by the University of Sheffield and  indicated significant savings to the economy and health service. The focus of the policy on minimum unit price is to reduce access to alcohol from both young people and those with severe problems with alcohol. Mrs Webster indicated that minimum pricing would not resolve the issue on its own but may help people to rethink how much they drink and their relationship with alcohol.

In response to questions raised by Members in relation to evidence to support the effectiveness of minimum pricing. Mrs Webster indicated that the evidence base was strong and that the study from Sheffield University to support the proposal could be shared with the Committee if they wished. Scotland was pursuing this policy. Mrs Dajani indicated that the Sheffield model was based on a minimum price of 50p per unit not 45p as suggested by the Government. She reported that in relation to tackling illegal alcohol, work was underway with Trading Standards to bring intelligence to Trading Standards and raise awareness with the public.

Members asked questions in relation to drink drive initiatives by the Police and ”all you can drink” promotions in pubs/clubs and alcohol. Mrs Dajani indicated that if someone has been alcohol screened following alcohol testing at the roadside they would be referred to services and given advice. In relation to the “all you can drink” promotions, it was suggested that comments should be made to the consultation with regard to the need to clarify irresponsible drink promotions.

Councillor Boult indicated that he was due to meet with David Ball, Head of Regeneration and Planning regarding licensing issues, Members were invited to feed their comment to him to discuss.

In relation to the freeing up responsible businesses, Members agreed that further discussions were needed on this issue.

Resolved: That

(1)  Ms Johnstone, Mrs Dajani and Mrs Webster be thanked for their informative presentation;

(2)  the Committee supported the following responses to the questions posed in the consultation on the national alcohol strategy

·  A ban on multi-buy promotions on the off trade

·  Review of the mandatory licensing conditions

·  Health to be included as a licensing objective for cumulative impact policies

(3)  the minimum unit price for alcohol be set at 50p and not 45p as suggested; and

(4)  further debate be held in relation to freeing up responsible businesses