Public consultation to be held on booze ban plans

The local authority’s proposals involve setting up designated zones where people can be fined for public drinking in the town centres of Coldingham, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Jedburgh, and Newtown St Boswells.

People found drinking within the town centre areas could be fined up to £500, but the by-laws will not apply on common riding days and on Hogmanay.

At a meeting of Scottish Borders Council on Thursday, councillors were presented with a report by SBC’s chief legal officer Nuala McKinley, who explained that other public bodies are in favour of the proposals.

She said: “NHS Borders and Police Scotland continue to support the introduction of by-laws.

“Police Scotland had previously expressed their support of the by-laws with a view to reducing public disorder generally in the Scottish Borders area.

“NHS Borders are of the view that there are significant public health benefits in their introduction and the most effective way to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol related harm is through the availability of alcohol which includes reducing exposure.

“Stopping street drinking will contribute to this and to protecting vulnerable individuals and promoting safer communities.

“Both bodies remain of the opinion that by-laws would be a useful tool to assist and support other resources available.”

However, the majority of councillors felt that because the by-laws were first proposed in 2014, the public consultation carried out around that period was now out of date.

In particular, community councils which previously supported the proposals, such as Jedburgh Community Council and Coldingham Community Council, have now withdrawn their support.

Speaking in support of more consultation, Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell said: “I think we should start a new consultation.

“I don’t think we can stop this process, as this was agreed previously by the council, and it would be undemocratic to do so.

“I also don’t think we can stop it now because we should be an evidence based council and we haven’t heard any evidence either in support of this or against it, so we need further consultation and evidence.

“I think there is a balance between personal liberty and civic responsibility that needs careful consideration.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor David Paterson also spoke in favour of further public consultation: “It’s been four or five years since we consulted the public. I’m all for what is being proposed but in the interest of fairness we need to go back to the public on this.”

However, some councillors have spoked out in opposition to introducing any anti-alcohol by-laws at all.

In particular, Jedburgh and District councillor Scott Hamilton said the by-laws would contravene personal liberties, and tabled a motion calling for the proposals to be scrapped altogether.

He told fellow councillors: “By agreeing to move these by-laws forward, we will be starting a process which barbarously pushes back our freedoms and personal liberties.

“It is the freedom of choice which has underpinned the very ethos of life in the western world, and we this morning seek to change a liberty. Granted, it is a small liberty, but it must be treated with utmost care and consideration.

“We need to have a real and considered debate before deciding on this. One of the endearing things about the Europeans, and I say this as a Brexiteer, is their cafe culture. This type of activity would be forbidden in places like Jedburgh.

“When a family goes to the park for a picnic, and brings a bottle of wine, they are now caught in the battle between over-legislation and common sense.

“I would say let’s encourage cafe lifestyle, and its economic potential for increasing footfall and destination desirability.”

Although councillor Hamilton’s motion was defeated by 21 votes to seven, councillors decided not to submit their by-laws to the Scottish Government and instead opted for more research into the potential benefits and disadvantages and for further public consultation.