A council report on Ashby town centre's Cumulative Impact Area has been criticised as being 'out of date'.

Thursday's meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council was presented with the report by Cllr Michael Wyatt.

It concluded that:

• The number and density of premises licensed to sell alcohol by retail remains an issue that continues to require control
• The level of crime and disorder continues to be the primary concern
• The geographical area requiring control remains unchanged
• All premises types licensed to sell alcohol by retail to remain within the scope of the Cumulative Impact Area which is to apply between 10pm and 6am.

The report also says the main concerns related to crime and disorder and public safety, however, one of the consultees also expressed a concern about public nuisance levels and protection of children from harm.

The zone (Pictured here) takes in the majority of Market Street, North Street, South Street and The Green.

Cumulative Impact is described as 'the potential impact on the promotion of the licensing objectives of a number of licensed premises concentrated in one area'.

The council's licensing committee met in November to discuss the scheme, which was first introduced in 2005.

However, the requirement to review a cumulative impact assessment remains every three years. 

Ashby councillor Murrae Blair-Park. Photo: Ashby Nub News

And it was recommended that the CIA remain in place following the concerns from a number of parties.

But Ashby-based district councillor Cllr Murrae-Blair Park slammed the report as 'out of date'.

He told the full council: "It concerns me when you read this report that it's out to date and the statistics are not even within the last 12 months.

"I don't think it adequately reflects all the hard work of the community of Ashby in terms of the late night economy and the centre of Ashby, how the community have pulled together, in conjunction with the police, in conjunction with the licensees and Ashby BID and Pubwatch to make the place a better town to visit. 

"There's very little mention of the Purple Flag award. There's no mention about the Pubwatch scheme. We're not talking about the number of projects that Ashby has supported around safe places - in conjunction with Ashby BID, who've funded the late night economy to help improve things. 

"With the greatest respect, this report goes nowhere near to reflecting all of that work that my town has put in to improve it.

"One, for a place to shop and visit, and two, for a place to go out in the evening. Of course we can improve, but this report does not in any way come close to the work that has been taking place in the town. 

"I'm more than happy to support any assessment of my ward that helps us improve, but you've got to reflect what's happened, and you've got to reflect the progress that's been made, and with this report gets nowhere close to it."

Cllr Wyatt responded: "I just want to say it's a shame Cllr Blair-Park left it until now to express his concerns. Comments are noted, and I'm sure an officer will reply to him."

Cllr Dave Bigby, also an Ashby Town Council member, added: "I support this proposal, so I'm not speaking against it. What I would do, though, is just question how valuable this impact zone is. 

"The last time that Ashby Town Council opposed a license for a new licensed premises in Ashby, we said, it's part of the Community Impact Zone - there's lots of potential problems, with this and it should be turned down. 

"The licensing committee just ignored us. The report says the council considers that in the community impacts that cumulative impacts, it is likely that granting further licenses would be inconsistent with the council's duty to promote the licensing objectives. I just hope that in the future, the licensing committee takes cognisance of this and ensures that it properly treats new applications against this particular resolution and report."