Catering covenant
Tytsjerksteradiel and Achtkarspelen would like to conclude an agreement with the regular catering industry and the semi-commercial catering industry. In this agreement, we want to make arrangements for compliance and enforcement of laws and regulations, alcohol moderation and responsible alcohol consumption. Catering entrepreneurs who take responsibility themselves will be less burdened with municipal enforcement and supervision. We want this agreement for a number of reasons.
1. Place the responsibility where it belongs
The Licensing and Catering Act, the Licensing and Catering Regulations and the permits based on the law and the Local Law contain rules that the establishments must adhere to. It is the primary responsibility of the entrepreneur to comply with these rules. It is the municipality's job to ensure that the establishment actually complies with the rules.
The hospitality industry is a well-organized and active sector. They are critical and often reflect on plans of the municipality that affect this sector. Such a serious industry must also be able to take responsibility for the necessary self-reflection.
2. In addition to all sorts of legal obligations, the catering industry also has a social responsibility
Excessive alcohol consumption, especially among young people, is a social problem. The hospitality industry can play a positive role in tackling this issue. Agreements can be made about this in a covenant. For example, it can be agreed with the business owners that an active discouragement policy will be pursued regarding alcohol consumption by young people. This can be done with flyers, stickers, and clear information in another way.
3. Win-win situation
There is a quid pro quo. The catering industry declares that it takes the rules seriously and acts accordingly. In return, the municipality will be less involved with the industry in this regard. There will be fewer checks on compliance with the rules in the area of the Licensing and Catering Act, the Licensing and Catering Ordinance, and Local Authority Byelaws permits and rules. Checks on this subject will only be carried out on a sample basis and in response to complaints. Establishments that do not sign the covenant will be subject to an inspection at least once a year.
4. Clear agreements
The hospitality industry has indicated in an information meeting that they need one known point of contact. The municipality declares to provide this. The 'hospitality coordinator' is the central point for everything that plays between the municipality and the hospitality industry. He knows what is going on and is the link between both partners. A supervisor from the Supervision and Enforcement team of Achtkarspelen/Tytsjerksteradiel will fulfill this role for both municipalities.
The municipality also promises to closely monitor compliance with rules by others and to take action against violations within its enforcement policy. You can make good agreements, but participants in the covenant deserve the municipality to act consistently in the event of violations.
5. Lower personnel costs
The supervision of the alcohol and catering law is a new task for the municipality. For the municipalities, less stringent supervision also reduces the extra personnel burden. The degree of 'savings' depends on the number of participants in the covenant.
6. Community involvement is positive advertising for the sector and the municipality.
Recording agreements in a covenant makes a positive contribution to the image of the industry and the municipality. The media will be asked to pay attention to (the signing of) the covenant.
Legislation
The hospitality industry makes an important contribution to the liveliness and attractiveness of the municipality. A municipality without hospitality is unthinkable. However, hospitality also has its downsides. It can cause nuisance (loud music, noisy visitors, indiscriminate parking of vehicles).
Several parties are involved in combating this nuisance. Firstly, the catering entrepreneurs themselves. They are primarily responsible for the smooth running of everything that takes place within their business, but also for what happens in the immediate vicinity. In addition, the police have the task of maintaining public order and safety, if necessary followed by criminal prosecution by the public prosecutor. Furthermore, the municipality also plays an important role.
As a creator of zoning plans and a permit issuer, she is responsible for the design and adaptation of the physical environment. She determines where catering establishments can be located and must ensure the right balance between the interest of a good catering offer on the one hand and the protection of the residential environment on the other. Furthermore, as a permit issuer, she is also a supervisor and, if necessary, an enforcer of the permits she grants. To perform these tasks properly, the municipality has an extensive set of legal tools.
More information
Frisian young people, like young people in the rest of the Netherlands, drink too much, too often, and at too young an age. Excessive drinking, more than five drinks in a short period, is becoming increasingly common, although the age at which people start drinking alcohol is rising. Alcohol is harmful to health. In particular, the adolescent brain is affected, which can lead to permanent brain damage. This is even more true for young people than for adults. This site provides tools for the prevention of alcohol use for both users and providers.
The 'Nuchtere Fries' (Sober Frisian) project is a collaboration between the Frisian municipalities, GGD Fryslân (Public Health Service of Friesland), Addiction Care North Netherlands, Friesland Police, and the Royal Dutch Hospitality Association. Visit the website via http://www.nuchterefries.nl.
The legal text of the Licensing and Catering Act can be found on Overheid.nl.
For questions about the Licensing and Catering Act, please call us on 14 0511 or email gemeente@t-diel.nl.