Issued by City of York Council
A report is published today (26 April) which asks Cabinet for permission to consult on a late night levy on licensed premises which could help York’s night-time economy become more pleasant and successful. Cabinet will make its decision at a meeting on 7 May.
The consultation relates to proposals to act on changes in the law which allow licensing authorities to make an additional charge on licensed premises authorised to sell alcohol between midnight and 6am.
York currently has approximately 263 licensed premises authorised to sell or supply alcohol at these times, which breaks down into 246 premise licences and 17 club premise certificates
The levy would be pegged to business rates, with a potential for an annual gross income of £286,000 for the council. However as a number of premise licence holders may request a minor variation to reduce their licensable hours, this income could be significantly reduced.
Exemptions or reductions to the levy could be offered to premises with overnight accommodation, theatres and cinemas, bingo halls, community amateur sports clubs, community premises and country village pubs. New Year’s Eve would also be exempt.
Of the proceeds, 30% would be retained by City of York Council and 70% would go to the Police and Crime Commissioner. If introduced, the money raised would be spent on measures in York, managing the late-night economy, the impact of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance issues between midnight and 6am. It would also help protect vulnerable people and communities affected by alcohol-related public nuisance and crime and disorder during the late night period, in the whole authority area.
Councillor Dafydd Williams, City of York Council’s Cabinet Member for Crime and Safer Communities, said: “Maintaining City of York Council’s focus on the impact of alcohol on crime, health and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the week of the council’s Crime Summit, this request for a consultation is further evidence of our commitment to address alcohol-related issues in the city.
“We’ve successfully prosecuted people for urinating in public in the city centre and, working with our partners in Safer York Partnership and the police, as well as community groups like the Street Angels, we are working to make our communities safer and stronger for residents and businesses in York. We’re giving out the message that alcohol-related anti-social behaviour won’t be tolerated on our streets: we want people to enjoy the best of our city and for our night-time economy to be safe, prosperous and pleasant for all.”
If the consultation is permitted, it will involve North Yorkshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, other responsible authorities, Safer York Partnership and local businesses and a report will be brought to the Cabinet Member which will share views and recommendations.
Cllr Williams and Cllr James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, will be going out with the police tonight (26 April) to observe city-centre issues and the late-night economy in action.
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