Agenda item

This report seeks Members approval to formally consult on changes to the boundary of the Cumulative Impact Zone following a report from North Yorkshire Police detailing changing patterns of crime and disorder in the City Centre.

Members considered a report which sought their approval to formally consult on changes to the boundary of the Cumulative Impact Zone following a report from North Yorkshire Police detailing changing patterns of crime and disorder in the City Centre.

The Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2008-2011 includes a special policy on cumulative impact for part of the city centre. Cumulative impact is defined as “the potential impact on the promotion of the licensing objectives of a significant number of licensed premises concentrated in one area”. The boundaries of the cumulative impact zone (CIZ) were approved at Council in April 2005 based on patterns of crime and disorder prior to that date. North Yorkshire Police have now submitted a report to the council requesting that the boundaries of the zone be amended to reflect current patterns.

Comments were received from a resident of the city centre who felt that data for December should have been included in the map on page 15 of the agenda. He queried whether offences such as shop lifting were included in the figures for the maps on pages 20 and 21, and commented that it would be beneficial to see evening only figures. He pointed out that Sunday’s figures are a continuation of Saturday evenings events.

Representatives for North Yorkshire Police addressed the Committee and advised that the CIZ had been the main tool in reducing crime in the city centre and that currently it is based on the main drinking areas in the city as in 2005. The areas have now changed and the hotspots are moving across the city towards the Coney Street area. They advised that the new boundary should extend to Davygate.

Members queried why Blake Street had not been included within the new boundary. In response, the Police Officer advised that the CIZ is only concerned with licensed premises and as the majority of the anti social behaviour is prior to 11pm in Blake Street, it’s issues are considered small in relation to the levels of anti social behaviour in other areas of the city. Some Members disagreed with this as they had been involved in a licensing hearing relating to McDonalds, and were aware that residents in Blake Street are experiencing problems.

Discussions took place regarding the inclusion of the rear of Davygate within the CIZ boundary. Officers advised that the CIZ boundary can not be cautionary, and has to be responsive to crime and disorder figures. Currently there were no figures to support the inclusion of the rear of Davygate, which includes the Stonegate area. If the boundary was set without the evidence to justify it , then legal difficulties could arise if the Council were to be challenged.

Members felt that St. Sampsons Square with its impending taxi rank and 3 licensed premises should be considered for inclusion in the CIZ and Blake Street.

Members decided that consultation should take place in order for the public to comment on the CIZ. Members suggested that any amendment should be delegated to Officers, along with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Gambling & Licensing Act Committee and a Liberal Democrat Member.

RESOLVED:             (i) That Option 2 be approved and Officers are authorised to consult on the proposals to amend the boundary of the Cumulative Impact Zone. Officers also to consult with Chair, Vice Chair and a representative of the Liberal Democrat group.

                                    (ii) That St. Sampson’s Square and Blake Street be considered for inclusion in the CIZ subject to consultation and crime statistics to support inclusion.

                                    (iii) That Officers note the suggestion to produce separate graphs to reflect evening crime statistics.

                                    (v) That the consultation document highlights to the public that the setting of the boundary has to be evidence based.

REASON:                  To assist with the effective implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 in the city and contribute to the reduction of alcohol related crime and disorder in the city centre.