Vince Cable

The council has declined to accept a proposal from MP Vincent Cable to defer issuing late night licenses until the new legislation for Alcohol Disorder Zones, and attendant charges in licensees for extra policing, has been approved.

The new law (the Violent Crime Reduction Bill) is due to complete its passage through parliament at the end of the year and the new charges would, then, require some notice and a warning to licensees to deal with any anti social behaviour.

Vincent Cable said: "I appreciate that the council has to deal with the law as it is rather than how it is likely to be in a few months time. But there is the consolation for residents of knowing that if late night licenses do create anti-social behaviour it will soon be possible to invoke an Alcohol Disorder Zone. It will be a powerful incentive to publicans to ensure that late night revelry does not cause a nuisance."