Portsmouth landlord says Licensing Act changes are unnecessary
It said the consideration of these matters would allow local authorities to make decisions that better promote the key aims of the act - to improve community safety.
But the suggestion has prompted criticism from within the hospitality industry which said that extra red tape was 'the last thing our sector needs'.
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Hide AdThe Local Government Association's proposal is for the Licensing Act to be updated to include a public health objective and allow for councils to take action where premises fail to protect the health of their communities.
At the same time, it has called for councils to be given greater access to NHS data, including the figures for hospital admissions and ambulance call-out data to guide decisions.
It said excessive alcohol consumption cost the NHS an estimated £3.2 billion a year on top of additional costs falling on other public bodies, including social services and the police.
But it said that despite their being an 'established link' between the consumption and availability of alcohol, councils were finding it 'challenging' to amend licences to take these matters into account.
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