Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillors S. Powderhill and T. Williams.

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 18^th April 2023.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 18^th April 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

The Committee received a presentation from Mr G. Lewis the Senior Food and Agricultural Standards Officer, in respect of the testing of alcohol in alcohol Premises Licenses in Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, as part of the routinely inspection carried out by the Trading Standards Service.

Members RESOLVED to note the presentation.

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 1^st April 2023 to 21^st May 2023, together with ancillary matters arising from the responsibilities charged to the Committee.

An analysis of the TEN’s applications indicates, 25 for existing premises licenses, 18 for permitted community events and 5 from Private Members Clubs. The number of TEN’s submitted for this period remains steady with a total of 48 received. Furthermore, we once again see a trend for TEN’s to be submitted for the sale of alcohol at rugby games played in local clubs selling alcohol as an off sale. In addition, there have been several events in the community and on licensed premises to mark the King’s Coronation.  Moreover, as the Summer months now approach, we are starting to receive TEN’s for outdoor festivals such as the Big Welsh Bite.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services reported that since the last Committee report, there had been no contested applications and no reviews to report during this period, however, an Appeal had been lodged by the Old Post Office (Squares), Porth whereby confirmation has been received from the courts that the hearing will be relisted and that a future date for the hearing to take place will be arranged shortly.

Members were referred to section 4.3 of the report, where the premises inspections and infringements were outlined. It was reported that the current performance level for inspected premises which is now at 90.15% compared to 89.94% during the previous reporting period and officers are working continuously with these premises to ensure they become compliant.

Members learned that, unfortunately, 2 premises have / or are due to close in the Cynon area namely The Mount Pleasant Hotel in Mountain Ash which is due to close in June, and the premises is currently up for sale, and also The Cardiff Arms in Hirwaun that has closed and is up for sale.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services reported that on a positive note, it looks like the Glancynon in Hirwaun will be reopening again later this Summer after being closed for several years. 

Furthermore, a private members club in Cwmparc has surrendered their licence.

It was reported that a pre application meeting was held with the new owners of the premises previously known as the Lighthouse and more recently, Troopers., whereby the new owner indicated that he planned to operate as a wine bar, it is positive to see new businesses opening up.

In addition, a premises in Aberdare town centre has received a pre application meeting for an Off Licence, this meeting was a few months ago and since then it is believed the ownership has changed hands.  As such, Licensing Officers

have offered a further pre application meeting to the new owner.  Also, it appears the premises  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

“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 1^st April 2023 to 21^st May 2023. 

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