Too soon to stop calling time

3.39.00pm GMT Tue 25th Jan 2005

Westbury Lib Dem spokesman, Cllr Duncan Hames, is backing calls for the Government to delay the implementation of the legislation bringing forward more flexible and longer licensing hours in pubs and clubs.

Cllr Hames, recently heard concerns about so-called '24 hour licensing' at a meeting he called of the council's External Overview Committee attended by community safety officers and a representative from the local police.

"Parliament must delay this bill until binge drinking is brought under control." says Cllr Duncan Hames

"It would clearly be prudent to allow the police and council more time to prepare for flexible drinking hours. The government's plans for a levy on the drinking industry also need to be worked through in detail before any new licenses are granted. Unless local authorities and local police are prepared, pressing ahead with plans for 24-hour licensing is a recipe for disaster. With senior police officers across the country arguing that the number of violent, drunken revellers is growing fast, Parliament must delay this bill until binge drinking is brought under control." warned Cllr Duncan Hames.

Liberal Democrat MPs have decided to vote for a delay in implementing the extension of pub opening hours, due to be debated later today as part of the Opposition day debates.

Councillors and officers at the district council are also concerned about the large volume of licence applications that will start in February when responsibility for these decisions moves from magistrates to local authorities.

"In requiring all licence holders to renew their licence at this time, the government is making a challenging situation much harder. The sensible thing would have been to phase in the new local authority decided applications over a longer period." added Cllr Hames.