Lib Dems snub initiative on under-age drinking

Lambeth Lib Dems

New legislation has given child protection agencies across the country the chance to object if they feel alcohol licences put children at risk from under age drinking. Unfortunately for kids and parents in Lambeth, the Lib Dems / Tory council has decided that their social services department won’t be taking up the offer.

The 2003 Licensing Act, which begins operating this week, contains clauses allowing social services departments to make representations when they feel that children could be harmed by the licensing of a premises. Applications for licenses under the new regime will start to flood in this week and social services would be the only department able to make representations on this issue. Lambeth council officials responsible for the protection of children will not be making any representations.

When a Labour member of the licensing committee asked officers in social services what steps were being taken to take advantage of the legislation he was told “Issues for example, underage drinking should be generally dealt with by the local police and would not generally lead to further contact with Social services.”

Cllr Peter O’Connell Labour’s Lead spokesperson on Crime commented:

“There is a proven link between anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking. The Liberal Democrats in Lambeth are letting parents and kids down by not engaging with this process.

“The licensing process needs to involve people whose primary concern is the protection of young people. That’s why the Government made these changes. I’m afraid that the Liberal Democrats’ apathy is just not good enough.”

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