As mentioned earlier this week, Bridgend Council discussed a proposed continuation of a Cumulative Impact Assessment for Bridgend town centre.
The policy means that the council will be minded not to award new licences to businesses in the CIA area unless they can prove that they can address any potential issues with anti-social behaviour.
Night-time economy “recovering”; public drinking order abandoned due to police refusal to enforce it
Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning & Regeneration, Cllr. Rhys Goode (Lab, Nantymoel), welcomed the recovery of the night-time economy in the town centre – particularly the recent opening of some highly-regarded restaurants.
Nonetheless, the policy needed to be extended so that the council and police can get an accurate picture of whether the drop in crime and anti-social behaviour during the pandemic years was a one-off.
Cllr. Steven Bletsoe (Ind, Bridgend Central) noted that a public order banning the drinking of alcohol on the street in certain parts of the town centre (and further afield) has been poorly enforced since it was introduced and has since been dropped. He urged the Cabinet to reconsider.
Cllr. Goode explained that it was a question as to whether the order was worth having in the first place if it wasn’t going to be enforced. It was made clear to the council by South Wales Police that they wouldn’t enforce it – a decision the council doesn’t agree with.
This reveal came not long after councillors sat through an hour-long presentation from the South Wales Police & Crime Commissioner, Alun Michael (Lab).
Not just a night-time problem; not just confined to Bridgend
There was some scepticism across the chamber around how effective existing policy and licensing enforcement has been.
Both Cllr. Amanda Williams (Ind, Coity Higher) and Cllr. Ian Spiller (Ind, Bryntirion, Laleston & Merthyr Mawr) said anti-social behaviour wasn’t just happening during the defined “night-time economy hours” of 10 pm – 6 am.
It often occurs much earlier while children are walking from after-school activities or while some non-licensed businesses are open like hairdressers.
Cllr. Freya Bletsoe (Ind, Oldcastle) mentioned that when she recently asked schoolchildren what would be the one issue they would want to change if they were mayor, it would be to address anti-social behaviour in Bridgend town centre.
Cllr. Melanie Evans (Lab, Pencoed & Penprysg) said that consideration also needs to be given to the three other main towns in the county, and anti-social behaviour affects all communities.
