ADZs regs withdrawn again
The introduction of controversial alcohol disorder zones (ADZs) are facing further delays after it emerged the regulations covering them have again been withdrawn from Parliament for re-drafting.
A Home Office spokeswoman told thepublican.com there was now "no timescale confirmed" as to when the regulations would be re-laid before Parliament.
She added: "The joint committee highlighted a drafting flaw concerning the description of the local authorities complaints procedure. In order to ensure they reflect the complaints process, ministers have decided they will be withdrawn and amended on that one drafting point and then re-laid."
Asked when the regulations will be re-laid, she said it depended on the parliamentary process and there was "no timescale confirmed".
The regulations were due to be debated in Parliament last month before councils would be given the green light to use them.
Martin Rawlings, the British Beer & Pub Association's (BBPA) director of pub & leisure, said: "It's a complete dog's dinner and indicative of this poor policy. They are trying to draft something that doesn't make any sense.
"It will not change our view on them that they should not be going through."
The guidance to the regulations has also been re-written and the Home Office has asked the BBPA to respond to these.
Opposition to ADZs is huge in the trade, as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are seen as a far more successful and fairer alternative.
If an area is designated an ADZ, pubs could be forced to pay up to £100 per week to help contribute to policing costs.
The ADZs regulations have previously been branded as "defectively drafted" by a parliamentary joint committee and a Lords select committee said they were "bureaucratic" and unnecessary.
