Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors S. Bradwick, T.Williams and L. Hooper.

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 6^th July 2021.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 6^th July 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community 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 continued to rise as we saw some easing of the coronavirus regulations and an analysis of the TEN's applications indicate, 23 for existing premises licences, 42 for permitted community events and 16 from Private Members Clubs.

Furthermore, the number of applications the licensing department have had to consider has again increased since the last reporting period, jumping up from a total of 163 last report to 221 during this period, which again is a reflection of the licensing trade opening back up. Also, Personal Licence applications and a change of Designated Premises Supervisor has been particularly busy.

The Director reported that since the last Committee report, there had been one contested application for Variation of a Premises Licence but had since withdrew their application. Furthermore, there had been a review requested by South Wales Police during the period whereby the Sub-Committee determined that the license be revoked and that an appeal was pending, however, during this period, it had since been determined that the appeal was out of time and that the license is now fully revoked. Also, the Director informed the Committee that there were two further pending reviews scheduled for November 2021, which would be reported back to a future Committee.

It was also reported that since the last Committee report an Appeal from the applicant of the White Lion Hotel had been lodged and reported as pending in the last report but had since withdrawn following a transfer of a license and also a further Appeal which is currently pending.

The Director referred Members to section 4.3 of the report, where the premises inspections and infringements were outlined. Members learned that there is no change to the current performance level for inspected premises which as reported last was 91.48% and that Licensing inspections have now restarted due to officers now not being involved in coronavirus inspections.

The Director noted that since the reopening of pubs and clubs the licensing authority has seen an increase in complaints involving noise and anti-social behaviour, which was foreseen and expected due to local residents having licensed premises nearby closed for a long time throughout the Covid restricted period. Furthermore, complainants are being directed to use the ‘Noise App’ where there are noise nuisance issues so that Officers can then listen to problem and make a more informed decision on the best action.

The Director reported that the licensing team have continued their excellent partnership working with South Wales Police, with both authorities working in collaboration to resolve complaints and this relationship continues to excel and is a key tool in the way licenced premises are encouraged, advised and managed.

Furthermore, Pubwatch meetings are continuing to take place which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

“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 Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services provided the Committee with details of licences and registrations issued during the period 21^st June 2021 to 17^th October 2021.

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