CONCERNS that the new licensing laws which come into force next year could carry the prospect of 24-hour drinking in Okehampton were voiced by town councillors last week.

Under the Government reforms, local authorities will take over responsibilities for granting licenses for pubs, clubs and bars, from magistrates from next February.

West Devon Borough Council will take on the responsibility of issuing liquor and occasional licenses and is currently carrying out statutory consultations on its statement of licensing policy with licensees, trade organisations, parish councils and businesses before the transition begins.

The Government says the aim of the new legislation is to provide greater freedom and flexibility for the leisure industry and a greater freedom of choice for the public.

The more relaxed legislation will effectively abolish the idea of a standard closing time and will allow pubs to stay open later in the hope of reducing alcohol related crime and disorder at ?flashpoint? times and areas.

The new legislation was discussed by Okehampton town councillors at their policy meeting on September 20.

Cllr Charles Letchford said although it was argued the legislation would result in staggered closing times, he feared deregulation was unlikely to achieve this in practice.

He said the concentration of pubs in the centre of the town was likely to encourage landlords to all stay open later to keep up with competing establishments.

Cllr Letchford said he also feared the new laws put ?too much power into the hands of officers?.

Cllr Jayne Hill, who is also a borough councillior for the Okehampton West ward, said she shared many of Cllr Letchford?s concerns and feared the Government had made a ?real dog?s breakfast? of the new legislation.

She said a particular concern was that the new personal licence system ?where a license is attached to a licence holder rather than an individual? could be open to abuse.

Cllr Mike Davies also expressed concern about the implications of more relaxed licencing regulation. ?We could end up with a situation where people are drinking 24 hours a day, especially as we have a lot of shift workers in Okehampton. I don?t think it would be healthy for the town,? he said.

However, West Devon licensing officer Jim Burdus said such concerns were unfounded: ?Just because a landlord has the option to do 24/7 opening, it doesn?t mean they have to. It is a decision for the landlord.?

Mr Burdus said it was once all the old licences had been converted to the new in November next year, that people would be able to ?see the actual effect? of the changes.

Mr Burdus said the consultation period on the borough?s draft statement of licensing policy, which runs for a further four weeks, offered a chance for anyone who felt they had an interest in the issue to view the policy and offer their comments.

Harry Carr, landlord of the Exeter Arms, said he thought the biggest change the new legislation would make to his business may be in terms of the amount of red tape he would now be required to go through.

?I don?t think it is going to make a vast difference to the town as a whole, people can still only spend that £10 they have got in their pocket once,? he said.

?I think all the pubs may stay open later but only on Fridays and Saturdays, there is not the trade during the week.? he added.

Landlord of the Pretoria Wine Vaults Nick Holliday said he was in favour of the principle behind the reforms. ?I think it is a good idea to spread the opening hours,? he said.

?We have not had a lot of information at this stage, and until we actually know what is going to happen, we cannot say much more,? he added.

The deadline for the proposed statement of licensing policy consultation is October 29, 2004 and the council is urging people to make their views known through their borough councillors, parish councils or trade organisations.

Copies of the proposals are being made available and can be viewed:

l At the receptions of the borough council?s offices in Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, or Oaklands Drive, Okehampton

l At your local library

l Via the West Devon Borough Council website http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk where the proposed statement of licensing policy and further information about the Licensing Act 2003 can be seen.