Redlands Liberal Democrats

Responsible drinking around the University

Students and responsible drinking is back in the national press today, with news that members of the National Union of Students are to table a motion calling for 'responsible drinking' on campuses this week.

An article in today's Observer highlights the organised pub-crawls in University towns run by a company called Carnage. These events have been set up in Reading and I know they are cause for concern of the local Police and local residents who live around the University.

The article also discusses cheap drinks promotions which are promoted on some campuses.

I am writing to Reading University Student's Union (RUSU) about this today to ask them to clarify their position on this issue, and to update me what they're doing to promote responsible drinking on and off campus. I've always found that RUSU has taken a mature approach and the work they did last year to ban initiation ceremonies at Reading University was excellent.

I know that noise caused by a minority of drunk students is still a problem around some of streets off Erleigh Road, but in general I feel things has got a little better and a lot of this is thanks to the joint effort of RUSU and the Redlands & University Neighbour Action Group (NAG).

If residents report problems, Kirsten and I raise issues directly RUSU and Reading University, and we now have strong relationship with both. I'm a firm believer that good communication helps in these types of situations and this was certainly lacking on all sides when I was first elected in 2006.

Borrowing from JS Mill for a second (burried at the back of my mind from a politics degree!) my view is that a balance clearly needs to be struck, to ensure that the 'harm' done to students and residents is kept to a minimum, while allowing students to have a good time at University. Many would argue we haven't quite managed that yet.

If you are a resident affected by this problem, please drop me a line and I would be happy to assist. With my NAG hat on I would also suggest you report any problems to the Police's asb hotline: 0845 8 505 505 so that they are aware of the problem.

A busy month so far...

I'm sorry not to have posted anything for few weeks, November has proved to be very busy indeed.

On November 7 I met with council officers to discuss the growing problem of empty homes. This has been one of my main campaign issues since getting elected. Earlier in the year we highlighted a number of problem empty properties such as Alexandra House on London Road and a large house  in a prominent position on the corner of Kendrick Road and Christchurch Road. These properties have been empty for some time and as well as as attracting anti-social behaviour, they are also a wasted opportunity to provide local people with new homes. I'm pleased to say that after pressure from the Lib Dems the Council has finally recognised the need to take action in this area, and we hope new policies to come on stream early next year.

Measures to reduce crime in South and East Reading have also been high up my agenda this month. I attended the South Forum Safer Forum where I am pleased to say that my bid for better lighting on Lancaster Close has been agreed Download db_lancaster_close_lighting_streetletter_15_november_2007.doc .

Residents living in this area have suffered repeatedly from burglaries and graffiti and action was needed. I was shocked to discover that RBC has no specific budget for lighting per se and that lighting bids can only be justified if crime figures support them. Far from ideal and definitely something the Lib Dems will continue to campaign on in the future.

The East Reading Safer Forum focused on problems around nuisance drinking on the edge of the town centre. Labour councillors are keen to introduce street drinking bans in problem areas. This is a gesture - I don't think the Police have enough officers to resource this type of thing. Far better to tackle the problem premises with existing powers open to Councils.

Sadly since the government relaxed the licensing laws, some licenses had been approved in previous years without (in my view) adequate consultation with local people who have to live with the effects. The 24 hour license for the Murco Garage is an example of this. Interestingly, Gordon Brown recently signalled a u-turn on this issue: he is to review the impacts of 24 hour drinking and the impact of the reform of licensing legislation in 2005. I am concerned about the cheap availability of alcohol in supermarkets in particular to children. Tesco has got in to trouble over this recently.