Council leaders in Greater Manchester are poised to approve a landmark cross-region alcohol strategy as part of efforts to improve local health.
A united local alcohol strategy will tomorrow morning be put to the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities. If approved, it will be the first time in the UK this number of councils and public bodies have joined to launch such a programme.
Approval of the strategy is likely to result in more effective and consistent use of licensing powers, greater support for public health and improved services to protect victims of domestic abuse.
Under the agreement, all 10 councils and police and health services would pledge to work together to tackle the causes and effects of alcohol abuse.
Some £1.2bn is spent each year by Greater Manchester in dealing with the impact of excessive drinking.
Mike Connolly, Bury Council leader, said: 'The impact of alcohol abuse is everybody's business. It impacts on the health and wellbeing of our residents, the safety of our communities and the future success of our town centres and their night-time economies.
'It's essential we team up, roll up our sleeves to tackle this scourge on society together.'
'Binge drinking also has a massive effect on our town centres, putting pressure on businesses and impacting on the safety of our residents. We must join forces to tackle this now.'
