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 14^th November 2022.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 14^th November 2022 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 for the period 17^th October 2022 to 15^th January 2023, together with ancillary matters arising from the responsibilities charged to the Committee.

An analysis of the TEN's applications indicate 24 new personal licenses that have been allocated and that the month of November brought a flurry of applications to extend hours in licensed premises and Clubs for the Football World Cup. Furthermore, this led into the festive period which saw TENS increase in number to cover activities such as Christmas markets, carol concerts, and the sale of alcohol in non-licensed premises, along with the extension of hours for the retail sector and other licensed premises to trade over the holidays.

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 Variation of Premises Licence which had been Granted but following amendments to the original variation application.

Furthermore, no reviews have been determined during this period, however, there are a number of appeals from Applicants at Food For You, Pontypridd, whereby the Appeal was dismissed by the Judge and therefore the decision of the Licensing Act Committee to revoke the premises licence was upheld, and at Mountain Ash Stores, T/A Central Food, Mountain Ash, whereby the Judge reduced the Licensing Act Committee’s decision to revoke the premises licence, to a 3-month suspension which took effect at midnight on 30/11/22 and runs until midnight on 27/02/23. Moreover, an Appeal had been lodged by the Old Post Office (Squares), Porth which is currently pending.

Members were referred to section 4.3 of the report, where the premises inspections and infringements were outlined. In total there has been 47 premises inspected throughout the Borough, some of whom have again required follow up visits due to concerns on adherence to their licence.

Members learned that the proactive work being conducted has shown an increase in the current performance level for inspected premises which is now at 90.38% compared to 90.66% during the previous reporting period.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services reported that Officers are working continuously with these premises to ensure they become compliant and that they visited Mountain Ash Stores on 2 separate occasions to conduct test purchases for alcohol and ensure that they were complying with their suspension. Furthermore, on both occasions there was no alcohol on display and when asked, the member of staff refused any sale. They were complying with their 3-month suspension.

in relation to the number of complaints received, it was reported that two Licensing Officers attended the National Training Conference in Stratford Upon Avon in November 2022, along with the Chair of Licensing Committee Councillor Fox, where we were very fortunate to be awarded a free place for one Officer as conference is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

“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 17^th October 2022 to the 15^th January 2023. 

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