CIA ‘No evidence to justify ban on new licensed premises’

COUNCILLORS have expressed concern over plans to scrap tough restrictions on new pubs, clubs and bars opening in Kingswood because there has been no drunken disorder during the pandemic.

South Gloucestershire Council agreed a five-year licensing policy just seven months ago including a cumulative impact area (CIA) covering the town, which imposed a presumption against granting any applications for licensed premises and alcohol sales.

But the law requires evidence to justify a CIA, which licensing officers are convinced is no longer the case because the series of lockdowns since March 2020 has stopped people going out and about, socialising or causing trouble – even though the nighttime economy is now on the verge of reopening.

New Cheltenham ward Labour Cllr Kim Scudamore told a meeting of the council’s regulatory committee last week: “There is concern among local councillors regarding the removal of the CIA for Kingswood. We made a decision in 2020 and we thought we had the evidence to support that decision.”

He said committee members were told last November that Avon & Somerset Police had “reaffirmed the need for and effectiveness of the policy”.

Cllr Scudamore said: “So in November it was seen as a useful thing supported by the police. The policy only came into effect in January and actually doesn’t need to be reviewed for five years. I don’t understand why now we think it’s a good idea to remove it. Are we now saying that because of a lack of evidence because of Covid that we cannot defend that any longer?”

South Gloucestershire Council licensing team leader Kevin Barley replied at the meeting at Kingswood civic centre: “There is a statutory footing for CIAs in terms of evidential requirements. Now we’ve had another year, with the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, to review that with our colleagues in the police force, there is no evidence to suggest there are any issues of crime and disorder at licensed premises in the Kingswood CIA.

“We will consider any future data and evidence to bring a further report to this committee if it is felt the CIA should be reinstated.”

Mr Barley said the policy could be reviewed at any point during the five years, which is why the Kingswood cumulative impact area’s removal had been proposed just six months after it came into force.

He said: “As part of the policy review in 2020 it was advised it may be difficult to uphold the presumption against the granting of any licences in the CIA from January 2021 until an updated statement of licencing policy was in place. Kingswood CIA was based on evidence before the pandemic commenced. Officers of the licensing service have discussed this regularly with the South Gloucestershire police licensing officer and there is agreement the evidential requirement cannot be met.

“All licensed premises applications will continue to be assessed across the district on their own merits.”

The committee agreed to send the proposed changes to the licensing policy out to 12 weeks’ public consultation, although four members abstained. A final decision can be made only by full council.