Your Questions Answered
Does this mean alcohol will be banned from Ashford’s
Parks and Town Centre?
It is not Ashford Borough Council’s intention
to impose a comprehensive ban on drinking in the open air, nor to
impact upon those individuals or groups of people conducting
themselves in a considerate and orderly manner whilst enjoying a
social drink in a public area or park.
Will this ban people from drinking outside pubs?
No. An Order would not affect premises
licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol under the Licensing Act
2003, or those with pavement licences under section 115E of the
Highways Act 1980.
The Order is temporarily suspended in premises
which are covered by a Temporary Event Notice. This
suspension would apply in North Park during licensed public events
which include the sale of alcohol e.g. Ashford Music Festival.
Can the area for the Order be changed?
Yes. The Council must consider the matter,
including the views of those consulted, and decide which areas (if
any) should become Designated Public Places.
Why not have an Order covering the whole Borough?
It is important to stress that the Council
cannot simply decide to make the whole or part of the borough a
Designated Public Place. Local Authorities have to be
satisfied, on the basis of evidence, that nuisance, annoyance or
disorder within the proposed areas has been associated with the
public consumption of alcohol.
The Council will therefore have to make an
assessment as to the nature of any existing problems and the
likelihood of those problems continuing, including possible
displacement to other adjoining public places, unless these powers
are adopted.
Can the Order be cancelled?
Yes, the Council can revoke such an order at
any time.
If the Order is made, how will people know
which areas are affected?
If approved, the Council will place sufficient
signage in the area for the attention of the public. A copy
of the Order would also be sent to the Secretary of State.
How much will all this cost?
This will depend on the size of the area
proposed; however, the main costs will be for the production of
appropriate signage, together with any ongoing maintenance to them
that may be required.
There will also be some costs associated with
our legal requirement to place a Notice in a local newspaper.
What happens next?
Following consultation, the responses and
comments are reported back to the Council before further action is
taken.
If the Council decided to make an Order, a
notice would have to be published in a local newspaper identifying
the proposed designated area and the date on which it would take
effect, inviting representations from the public as to whether or
not the Order should be made.
A minimum of 28 days should be allowed after
the notice is published before the Order is made.
This webpage was updated on
1/12/2009