Parishes want power to approve alcohol licences

Jersey's constables have opposed plans to give alcohol licensing powers to the gambling commission.

In December Minister for Sustainable Economic Development Kirsten Morel put forward a proposal to update alcohol licensing laws by moving responsibility for alcohol licensing from the Royal Court to the Jersey Gambling Commission.

His proposal also included bringing policy decisions, such as drinks promotions, into the control of the States Assembly rather than the Attorney General.

The committee for constables put forward an amendment to Morel's proposal which said they wanted approval powers as they already had experience in alcohol licensing and stakeholder engagement.

In its amendment, it said: "While the commission may have a theoretical process advantage as a single entity, the parishes have the benefit of current experience in alcohol licensing regulation.

"Moreover, parish administrations will also have scope to collaborate on administering the new law."

The committee said it acknowledged the "effectiveness" of the commission but believed parish administrations were "better placed to take on the determining authority function" if the Licensing Assembly were to be extinguished.

It said: "The provision of a suitable comprehensive and well designed alcohol policy guidance statement will help ensure that decision making across the parishes is both consistent and balances the interests of applicant businesses and other legitimate stakeholders."

The committee said it agreed with Morel's proposals to modernise the outdated law, to simplify licensing categories from seven to two and improve guidance and enforcement.

The proposals are due to be debated from Tuesday 3 February.

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