Client: Bedford Borough Council

Project: Cumulative Impact Assessment and Licensing Policy Review

bedford_by_night__by_mincingyoda_dc4oazo-pre.jpg

What were MAKE asked to do?

Bedford Borough Council wanted to revise its licensing policy and needed know whether it needed a Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP). This is a policy tool to help towns resist the opening of new pubs, bars and clubs if crime and disorder and nuisance already results from the ‘cumulative impact’ of too many existing licensed premises. However, to introduce such a policy, a firm evidence base of the problem is required, otherwise there is the possibility of a legal challenge. Bedford was also interested in how it could improve its town centre and ENTE generally and asked us to provide recommendations on this.

How did MAKE do it?

  • MAKE developed an observational research study that ran over a weeklong period of daytimes (to assess evidence of street drinking) and post 9pm (to quantify the impacts of the night-time economy)  

  • A survey was drafted for residents and businesses which was hosted online, and focus groups undertaken in key locations where councillors and residents had expressed concerns about the level of antisocial behaviour allegedly linked to licensed premises in their neighbourhood. 

  • Working with the police, we undertook a comprehensive GIS audit of crime and antisocial behaviour, both temporally and spatially.  

  • We spent considerable time meeting councillors and explaining the Licensing Act and the limits of any new policy.  

  • We brought all the elements together in a report that was based purely on facts rather than interpretation or policy recommendation so that councillors could make a decision whether to introduce a cumulative impact policy or not (they did). 

  • MAKE’s founder Alistair and renowned licensing expert Jim Ratchford reviewed the borough’s existing Licensing Policy and updated it to include a new suite of model conditions and to reflect changes in the guidance and legislation.

What happened next?

A large number of (particularly low-level disorder) incidents were recorded linked to licensed premises (off licneces, takeaways and bars and clubs). It was these low-level incidents that were not being captured by calls to the police and which were causing the community concern and it was MAKE’s evidence that gave councillors the confidence to introduce the cumulative impact policy. We understand that there have been no successful appeals against the new policy.

What unique value did MAKE bring to this project?

This was the first cumulative impact assessment anywhere in England or Wales under section 141 of the new Policing and Crime Act 2017.