Council to consider booze ban extension
ANGUS Council leader Councillor Bob Myles has promised to "look at the legal position and possibilities open to the local authority" to see if the prohibited drinking zone can be extended to cover the entire city of Brechin.
Concerns were raised previously that the drinking ban didn't extend into areas like the public park and nature trail, which are renowned hot-spots for the consumption of alcohol.
Councillor Myles said he would take on board the feelings, almost the entire present membership of the Brechin and Area Partnership, who said they would like to have the ban extended to cover the city's entirety.
The previously proposed argument put forward by Angus Council was to have the area extended to take in an area around the Den and Smithbank Road, but stopping short of the play areas at the public park.
Chairman Jim Milne said that there needed to be more clarity in what the law and bye-laws that exist would allow.
"I thought that these bye-laws related to the carrying of alcohol around the town centre. Whatever the proposals come to, I think most of us here are of a mind that they don't go far enough and if we can have them extended without too much trouble then let's back that."
Jim was backed in his stance by Brian Mitchell, Sheila McGregor and Bill Sturrock, all of whom agreed that any assistance for the police and any improvements which would prevent any unnecessary trouble in the town centre should be backed.
In relation to the ban not extending to the public park, Brian Mitchell added: "Provision perhaps could also be made for the inclusion of a centre bridge across the nature trail, which is a focal point for the consumption of alcohol, especially in inclement weather by under-age drinkers."
Members agreed that the need to extend the ban in drinking in public places also had to be dealt with in a manner that, while ruling out nuisance, didn't prevent those who were having social events or simply barbecues, which are organised by individuals groups or families.
"As far as Brian and I are concerned, while we back the extension of the area, are we still okay for holding a barbecue in our gardens and providing alcohol?," asks Jim Milne.
It was pointed out that these are private areas and therefore not necessarily covered by any existing or future bye-laws.
Councillor Myles said that the only common sense approach to adhere to in an instance like this was to "listen to local people and react in a manner which they felt was the correct way forward".
He added: "I have taken on board everything that has been said and I give an assurance I will get on to our law and administration department as soon as possible to see if these bye-laws can be extended to cover the entire town.
"We don't want to be killjoys and this won't prevent anyone from going about their business and enjoying themselves.
"However, we do want to ensure that there are measures in place that can help Brechin and its town centre become a far more attractive place to visit.
"I will report back to a future meeting of the BAP with any progress that's made."
The matter has also been referred to a future meeting of the full Angus Council.
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Weather for Brechin
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
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