PUBLIC health data could be used in considering licensing applications in the future after a change in the law.

The Licensing Act now allows for data such as Accident and Emergency admissions to be available when looking at applications for pub licences, for example.

At Tuesday’s meeting of Bournemouth Borough Council, licensing board member Cllr Stephen Chappell asked what discussions would be had with the Director of Public Health to make sure that data was made available for future applications.

Cabinet member Cllr Jane Kelly said work was already under way, although the data had to show a direct link to hold any weight.