This week:

• I was involved in discussions about an objection I had made to the Greggs application for a 5am takeaway licence on Pilgrim Street. Late night takeaways can be a focus for crime and disorder, which is why the city’s Licensing Policy has a 1am closing time for city centre premises. The council’s Licensing and Public Health teams and Northumbria Police had all objected too. There was no change to the application but the Licensing Team decided to withdraw and the Public Health team and police followed. I was asked if I would withdraw but, since all of my concerns remained, I refused and sent a statement to the Licensing Commitee hearing.
• I also sent a statement to the committee hearing about the application for ‘The River God’ on the Quayside. This is described in the application as a bar restaurant but they are not proposing any food conditions. This would mean that it could operate as a bar. There are restrictions on new bars in the city centre because there are already so many of them.
• I supported residents dealing with anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Some of these are linked to increasing number of people with drug and alcohol issues in the city centre.
• I did a walkabout on the Quayside and city centre and noticed some trade waste issues, which I reported.