One of Jersey’s most senior law officers has apologised to the island’s Police Chief after accusing the force of failing to respond to proposed changes to guidance around happy hours and other drinks promotions.
Attorney General Mark Temple told the Licensing Assembly last week that there had been no police response to a request for feedback about the change in guidance, which saw the end of a 38-year-old ban on staging promotions in pubs, clubs and restaurants.
But in the States Assembly this week it was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat that Mr Temple’s assertion had been incorrect.
“I would like to clarify that the police were not consulted, nor did they receive a ‘chaser’ as referenced in the [Licensing] Assembly meeting,” she said.
“The Chief [of Police] has met with the Attorney General, who apologised for the administrative oversight – they will be working together to monitor this over the summer period.”
I am not in favour of drinks promotions, whether in the on- or off-trade and the situation will need to be monitored by both the police and the ambulance service
Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat
Deputy Le Hegarat, who was asked about the issue by her predecessor Deputy Helen Miles, also confirmed that she had been unaware of the change, which came into effect within hours of the Licensing Assembly meeting taking place, until she saw media reports.
“I am not in favour of drinks promotions, whether in the on- or off-trade and the situation will need to be monitored by both the police and the ambulance service,” she said.
“The responsibility lies with the licensee, and if there are problems over the summer then I would expect them to be dealt with by a referral to the Licensing Assembly.”
Deputy Miles said she hoped that “robust systems” would be in place to help monitor the impact of the change.
The Attorney General’s new guidance was also raised by Deputy Montfort Tadier, who asked Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham if he agreed that policy in this area should be set by the States Assembly, rather than unelected officers.
Deputy Farnham said that it had been the States Assembly’s decision to delegate responsibility for this area to the Licensing Assembly, and that he believed work on a new Licensing Law for the island would help address the matter.
While acknowledging that the potential impact of alcohol on the health of islanders needed to be borne in mind, Deputy Farnham said he believed there should be a greater balance between the previous restrictions on the on-trade, and the situation for supermarkets and off-licences, which he said had been able, until recently, to discount alcoholic drinks “with impunity”.
He added: “I am confident that our Licensing Law, through the police and Licensing Assembly, will monitor this issue very closely and not tolerate any improper use of licences.”
A spokesperson for the States of Jersey Police told Express it was “business as usual” for officers this weekend and that no further demand was put on the service as a result of the “happy-hour” changes.