Review body makes recommendations for new alcohol strategy
Recruit a night time economy manager and increase specialist services to support dependent drinkers are some of the recommendations being made for the city's draft Alcohol Strategy.
A Task and Finish Group has been reviewing the draft strategy and will present the recommendations at the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on Wednesday 8 May 2013. The strategy aims to promote responsible drinking and minimise harm from alcohol.
There are 16 recommendations in total. These include:
- The Health and Wellbeing Board should take ownership of the plan
- A night time economy strategy should be developed as part of the Plymouth Plan and a manager should be appointed
- The Business Improvement Districts should review and implement good practice from other cities where the private sector funds improvements to community safety
- Improve the quality and diversity of the night time economy with work to obtain a Purple Flag and enhanced bar staff training
- Enhance participation in the "Best Bar None" scheme
- Consider potential safer retailing initiatives such as the 'super-strength free' programme in Ipswich
- Increase specialist, structured interventions for dependent drinkers
Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, Councillor Mary Aspinall said: "We want to ensure this alcohol strategy protects people in the city particularly with recommendations such as curbing the sale of super strength alcoholic drinks in shops. However, we must also consider the needs of the evening and night time economy which are worth around £60 million to the city. We want to see a strategy in place and a manager appointed to ensure the city has a healthy balance of businesses ranging from pubs and clubs, to restaurants and theatres.
"We also want to see a strategy in place to prevent people dying from alcohol abuse and also to protect children in families where there is alcohol abuse."
The Task and Finish Group recommends the strategy is adopted and implemented by the Council. It brings together key agencies in the city who will work together to tackle the key issues.
Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Sue McDonald said: "We know we need to prevent problems rather than just wait to treat them and dealing with alcohol misuse is a key part of improving the city's health.
"As the Task and Finish group has highlighted, one of the key challenges is balancing support for the city's night time economy and minimising the harm alcohol can cause and that must be central to strategy. The Health and Wellbeing Board's role will be vital, overseeing this work and bringing agencies together."
