To consider a proposal to designate certain streets, roads and other areas as public places under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

Wards Affected: Three Elms, Holmer, Stoney Street, Leominster North, Leominster South, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye East, Ross-on-Wye West, Kington Town

The Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) presented a report about the proposed designation of certain public places in Herefordshire to control anti social drinking in public places.  He said that Local authorities had for some time had the power to bring in Byelaws to control the consumption of alcohol in streets, roads and other such places within their areas.  The powers were strengthened by the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which made it easier for the Police to take action in respect of those engaged in anti-social drinking.  The Council and its predecessor Councils had previously brought Byelaws into effect in parts of the City of Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, and Bromyard.  He also said that the powers within the 2001 Act had brought about a change in town centres by helping to reduce loutish and anti-social behaviour.  A 'tool' was therefore available to control such behaviour and to reduce the chances of drinking vessels being used in acts of violence.  Since 2001 Herefordshire Council had made four such Orders relating to areas within Hereford City, Bromyard, Madley and Peterchurch.   He said that approaches had been made to the Council in respect of the designation of an area in Whitecross, Hereford; Coppin Rise Hereford; the conversion (with some changes) of the existing byelaw areas covering Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye and the designation of Leominster and Kington.   He also said that the aim of the Orders was not to bring about a comprehensive ban on drinking in the open air but to stop alcohol consumption by a small number of people who directly or indirectly caused problems to the residents neighbouring, or those others wishing to use the areas of land for recreation and enjoyment.  He advised that the Police had confirmed that the proposed areas had often been the subject of reports to the police of drink-related anti-social behaviour and nuisance. 

The Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) outlined the advertising process for Orders, the case for designation, the effects of making an Order and the financial implications.  He also said that the proposals accorded with initiatives already commenced by the Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership with respect to crime and disorder and in particular tackling alcohol-associated problems.

The Committee concurred with the proposals put forward by the Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) to introduce a further Order to designate various areas in Belmont, Whitecross, Lebury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.  Councillor PJ Edwards a Local Ward Member for Belmont said that local residents welcomed the proposals for Coppin Rise but had some concerns about the Police having sufficient manpower to enforce them.  PC Thomas said that the introduction of the Order would assist the police with enforcement.  Councillor JW Newman had concerns that the automatic till at Tesco, Belmont was not always supervised and that there was a danger of under-aged persons purchasing alcohol there.  It was agreed that the Trading Standards Manager be asked to look into the matter.

The Committee discussed the proposals for Kington and Councillor James the Local Ward Member said that there was considerable opposition from local organisations and the public.  It was felt there that there was not a problem of anti-social drinking in public places in Kington and that an Order would have an adverse affect on community social events.  It was therefore agreed that the Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) should hold further consultations regarding Kington.

RESOLVED

THAT (i)   an Order be made designating those areas detailed in Appendix 1 of the report of the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards for the following areas as public places for the purposes of section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001:-

Belmont, Hereford

Whitecross, Hereford

Ledbury

Leominster

Ross-on-Wye; and

(ii)   the proposals for Kington be deferred for further consultations.