Cheltenham has become the latest council to agree to hold a consultation into the late-night levy after a motion was passed by cabinet members, writes Noli Dinkovski.
According to the council, the levy will apply to licensed premises that sell alcohol between midnight and 6am, affecting 135 late-night venues in the Gloucestershire city. A consultation period begins on 3 June, and if approved, an implementation date of 1 April 2014 has been propsed.
Under normal rules, Cheltenham Borough Council will be entitled to retain up to 30% of the net income generated by the levy, while the remaining 70% must be paid to the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner.
However, rather than see the levy revenue split between two separate programmes, it is intended that an agreement with the Police and Crime Commissioner will be reached to develop a single programme delivered in partnership with the council.
