Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors P Howe and S Morgans.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Note:

1.    Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest; and

2.    Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To note, that when Members determine the licensing and registration matters before them, they have a duty not to act in a manner that is incompatible with the convention on Human Rights and the Crime and Disorder Act.

It was RESOLVED to note that when Members determine the licensing and registration matters before them, they have a duty not to act in a manner that is incompatible with the convention on Human Rights and the Crime and Disorder Act.

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the Licensing Committee (Sitting in its role under the Licensing Act 2003) held on the 10^th September 2019.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 10^th September 2019 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

The Service Director, Public Protection provided Committee with a quarterly review on relevant issues relating to the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005, together with ancillary matters arising from the responsibilities charged to the Committee.

The Service Director, Public Protection advised Committee that the new Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-2025 had been approved by Council at its meeting held on the 27^th November 2019 with a view to the new statement taking effect from the 7^th January 2020.

It was reported that there had been a high number of Temporary Events Notices (TEN’s) for the period, due to events such as the Rugby World Cup, Halloween and Bonfire Night taking place during this time.

There were no contested applications to report but one Appeal had been determined since the last meeting. Members were advised that following the Appeal there had been a reduced suspension from three months to two weeks for Chicken and Kebab Land, Pontypridd. Members were referred to section 4.3 of the report which outlined the results of premises inspections and infringements. Current performance levels for inspected premises remains at 91% which is consistent with previous results.

The Service Director reported that the Pontypridd pub watch had been awarded 2^nd place in the annual national pub watch awards in recognition of its work in safeguarding vulnerable people and its close working relationship with the Business Improvement District (BID). Further, it was confirmed that the Treforest pub watch, which is an independent group has been reinstated.

Members were advised of the outcome of an evening exercise undertaken by licensing officers following allegations of underage drinking in the Cynon area. Further, information relating to other issues at a premises in Aberdare was also reported, resulting in measures put in place to overcome anti-social behaviour such as additional CCTV and provision for detecting customers carrying knives.

A number of other matters across the County Borough were reported such as ongoing issues of non-compliance within the Tumble area of Pontypridd.

In conclusion, the Service Director updated Committee with matters relating to the Gambling Act 2005.

Following discussion t was RESOLVED:-

(i)            To note the contents of the report in respect of the Licensing Act 2003 which had been provided for information;

(ii)          To note the contents of the Gambling Act 2005 which had been provided for information.

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act”.

It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

(i)  Personal Licences                                                                                                                                             

(ii) Premises Licences             

The Service Director, Public Protection provided Committee with details of licences and registrations issued during the period 26^th August 2019 to the 27^th November 2019.

Following discussions, it was RESOLVED to note the content of the report.