Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which presented the final draft of the Halton Alcohol Strategy: Reducing alcohol-related harm across the life course.

The Board was advised that the Halton Alcohol Strategy, set out in Appendix A to the report set out actions aimed at rebalancing the relationship Halton has with alcohol. The harm caused by alcohol in Halton was not a problem of a small minority. It was a problem that cuts across the entire population and affected local residents of all ages. For this reason, it was reported, the strategy took a life course approach to reducing alcohol-related harm at all stages of life from birth to old age. A ‘Com­munities’ chapter was also included to cover issues that affected people of all ages i.e. alcohol-related crime and community safety.

The Board was further advised that the Strategy built upon the effective work that had been undertaken by partners locally.  Therefore the strategy had been written in collaboration with all partners who had agreed the vision, outcomes, objectives and actions. The strategy was also supported by a detailed action plan outlining actions, responsible leads, timescales and outcomes to be achieved set out in Appendix B to the report. The plan would also be monitored by the Alcohol Strategy Implementation Group, and outcomes reported to the Safer Halton Partnership, Health and Well Being Board and all other relevant bodies.  The Board noted the vision, objectives and priorities set out in the Strategy.

It was reported that A formal public consultation was also being undertaken to enable local people to provide feedback and insight to the final version of the strategy and action plan. In addition, it was reported that the Strategy would also be presented to the following Boards for further input and discussion:-

·             Health and wellbeing Board;

·             Safer Halton Partnership Board;

·             Children’s Trust Board;

·             Halton Clinical Commissioning Group Executive Board; and

·             Executive Board.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·             It was noted that the Strategy was informed by best practice, not just on health but in all areas.  However, it was also noted, that a significant amount of good practice was undertaken by Halton Borough Council and the Strategy built on that success;

·             Clarity was sought on whether it was possible in business investment areas to apply a subsidy fee.  In response, it was reported that this had been considered and was felt that it would not be financially viable and that there was also a possibility that it would result in financial difficulty and closure for some small businesses; and

·             It was noted that the Strategy ensured that local licensing policy and enforcement activity supported the alcohol harm reduction agenda.  It was also noted that Halton Borough Council did not have a saturation policy in place currently to deal with excessive amounts of licensed premises.  However, it was reported that this could be a future consideration.

RESOLVED: That

(1)        the report and comments raised be noted; and

(2)        the Strategy outcomes, objectives and actions be supported.