Agenda item

Reducing the strength (Sac.20.10.2017/7)

Minutes:

The item was introduced by Diane Lee, Head of Public Health, who made Members aware of the work undertaken within Barnsley town centre under the banner ‘Reducing the Strength’.

 

The issue was that high strength alcohol was being sold by off-licences, often in single cans at low prices.  This was having a number of impacts in the short term, which included increased anti-social behaviour and littering.  These were in addition to the longer term effects on people’s health.

 

The campaign was designed to work with licensees in order to make them aware of the issue, and appeal to them to work with the public services in order to reduce the problem.  Significant impacts had been seen within the town centre, and the campaign sought to go further, marking cans in order for any litter to be used to identify the vendor.

 

Members were invited to discuss the scheme, and the possibilities for rolling this out in the South area.  A small team would be available to support, visiting off-licences and encouraging social responsibility.  It was suggested that an overview of premises where there may be potential issues be developed and this be consulted with the Area Council and Ward Alliances as a starting point.

 

Those present noted the cost of crime and disorder, and longer term health costs, and supported further discussion at the next Area Council meeting on the item.

 

RESOLVED that the next Area Council meeting further discusses the possibility of implementing the ‘Reducing the strength’ initiative locally.

 

A - Z Directory