Agenda item

The covering report and Brent alcohol reduction strategy 2014 – 2017 is attached.

Melanie Smith introduced the report and advised that there had been wide input into producing the alcohol harm reduction strategy.  The strategy aimed to reduce alcohol related harm through three desired outcomes, these being:

·         A healthier community

·         A safer community

·         A more responsible community

Melanie Smith then drew the Board’s attention to the recommendations as set out in the report.  She added that work was already underway in developing the strategy’s action plan.

During discussion, Councillor Moher noted the role the police had in respect of making representations for licensing applications and she queried whether higher fees could be set for certain kinds of licences.  Councillor Perrin stated that there was a worrying increase in the number of counterfeit spirits and concerted efforts were being made in prosecuting retailers who sold alcohol to those who were under the legal age.  Councillor Hirani felt there was a need for stronger licensing enforcement and consideration should be given to not approving licences in areas of the borough where alcohol misuse and its associated problems were at their highest. 

Dr Sarah Basham emphasised the importance of outreach work and appropriate signposting for those affected by alcohol misuse.  Sarah Mansuralli advised that there had been an increase in alcohol related admissions to hospitals and a number of such patients were frequent visitors which underlined the need to support intervention services.  Jo Ohlson stated that there was a need for a broader risk assessment of those who may be at risk from alcohol misuse.  Ann O’ Neill felt that there was also a need to provide the relevant contacts for the public for those affected by others’ drinking, such as street drinkers.   Gail Tolley (Strategic Director, Children and Young People) enquired whether there were any current figures in respect of the desired outcomes.

The Chair noted and expressed concern about the increase in alcohol related crime and alcohol violent crime estimates in Brent compared to the London average which was decreasing, as set out in charts six and seven in the report.  He enquired whether the HWBB would receive regular updates on the performance on achieving the strategy’s outcomes.

In reply to the issues raised, Melanie Smith advised that the council had information for example on some of the businesses selling alcohol early in the morning.  The licensing team were planning to review the council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and there would be a focus on health.  She felt that although the services provided to address alcohol misuse were good, they were not being used as much as they should and there needed to be better working between the relevant services and agencies to help reduce the number of hospital referrals.  An early intervention alcohol service had been trialled without much success and so the service was currently being redesigned.  Members noted that figures for the action plan were currently being populated and that there would be regular performance updates as part of the strategy.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the Brent alcohol harm reduction strategy 2014 – 2017 be approved; and

(ii)        that the establishment of an Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Group with membership from public health, communications, licensing, community safety, the police and Brent Clinical Commissioning Group be supported to:

·         Develop and implement an action plan to deliver the three objectives

·         Monitor the impact of this plan.