Agenda and minutes

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 2^nd November 2021.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 2^nd November 2021. as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services provided the Committee with the report on relevant issues with regard to the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005, together with ancillary matters arising from the responsibilities charged to the Committee.

It was reported that the number of TENs applications received have fallen from 81 in the last report to a total of 58 during this period which can be attributed in part to the coronavirus restrictions that were introduced from Boxing Day such as nightclubs being forced to close, groups of no more than six people could meet in licensed premises, table service only and the two metre social-distancing rule returned. 

Furthermore, an analysis of the TEN's applications indicate 30 for existing premises licences, 14 for permitted community events and 14 from Private Members Clubs, which included some of the autumn rugby internationals for which some of the TENS were issued for this period, and also the festive period saw TENS for activities such as Christmas markets, carol concerts and the sale of alcohol in non-licensed premises.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services reported that since the last Committee report, there had been one contested application for a Grant of Premises License which had been granted subject to the addition of conditions and two reviews for the period, one of which was requested by South Wales Police for the Cwm & Llantwit Welfare Hall, Beddau, whereby the Sub-Committee determined to revoke the license and there is an Appeal pending; and the second was requested by RCT Trading Standards for Pontypridd Anna, Pontypridd, whereby the Sub-Committee determined to revoke the license.

Furthermore, it was reported that in the last report whereby it was revealed that there was a dispute over the timeline of the appeal from the applicant of the Players Bar which had been lodged and was listed for preliminary legal arguments to determine if the appeal was submitted out of time, the outcome of this was that the Court upheld the decision that the Appeal was lodged out of time and the revocation of licence took effect. Also, an Appeal from the Applicant of the Cwm & Llantwit Welfare Hall had been lodged and reported as pending.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services referred Members to section 4.3 of the report, where the premises inspections and infringements were outlined. Members learned that the inspections undertaken have primarily been conducted following complaints, with those premises being deemed to be higher risk due to alleged non-compliance issues, which is shown in the slight decrease since last reported in the current performance level for inspected premises which is now at 90.42%.

It was report that in relation to the number of complaints received this had been quieter than usual due to the restrictions imposed by covid regulations, whereby many licensed premises reporting issues with staff and needed to close over the Christmas and New Year period due to isolating staff.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

“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 Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services provided the Committee with details of licences and registrations issued during the period 18^th October 2021 to 16^th January 2022.

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