Labour is calling for Councils to be given more powers to reflect public health concerns when making licensing decisions for premises wishing to sell alcohol, and for fees to fully cover the costs which Local Authorities incur when issuing licences.

Executive Councillor for Health Tom McGee said ‘At present Councils in England are unable to use public health grounds to veto new premises wishing to sell alcohol, and this sometimes leaves us without the powers necessary to adequately intervene when the issuing of a licence will have significant implications for the health of local people.

‘This is especially important in Stockport as we consistently rank highly for alcohol-related admissions to local hospitals, something which we are an outlier on especially when it comes to under 18 year olds.

‘In Scotland they have been able to consider health implications, including hospital admissions and local addiction levels, in relation to licensing applications since 2005, and the Government should give Councils in England the same powers which are being exercised north of border.’

A recent survey by the Local Government Association revealed that nearly 90% of Council Directors of Public Health want a public health objective included within the 2003 Licensing Act.

Councillor McGee added ‘Alcohol-related hospital admissions in England have more than doubled over 10 years – to more than a million per year. Excessive alcohol consumption is now costing the NHS around £3.5 billion.

‘There are huge benefits from a thriving night time economy and majority of businesses in Stockport and those planning to come here are responsible. The Council wants to work closely with responsible businesses to ensure that they are supported and that the cultural, social and economic value they add in Stockport is reflected in decision-making.

‘Councils need adequate powers to enable us to tackle those that behave irresponsibly however, and I’d also like to see the Government exercise a power that already exists in legislation to introduce locally-set licensing fees which would allow local taxpayers to be reimbursed for the real cost of the licensing process.’

There were 8,697 alcohol-related deaths registered in the UK in 2014-15. Stockport is forecast to see a cut to the local public health budget cut by the Government of £1.23 million between 2016-17 and 2019-20.