Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for 2015/16

Resolved to elect Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams as Chairman of the Committee for 2015 - 2016.

To elect a Vice - Chairman for 2015/16

Resolved to elect Councillor Tudor Owen as Vice-chairman for the year 2015 - 2016.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Everyone was welcomed to the meeting by the Chairman, Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams. Apologies were received from Councillors Eddie Dogan, Llywarch Bowen Jones and Ann Williams.

Gareth Jones, Senior Planning and Environment Manager, was welcomed to the Committee. It was noted that Gareth Jones had taken on temporary responsibility for the Public Protection Department following the retirement of Mr John Reynolds, Senior Public Protection Manager.  A message had been sent on behalf of the committee to thank Mr John Reynolds for his service and support for the Licensing Committees over the years.

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received from any members  present.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held on 9th of March 2015, be signed as a true record. 

The Chairman signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 9 March 2015, as a true record.

To submit, for information, minutes of the Licensing Sub-committee meetings held on the following dates:-

(a)        09.02.2015

(b)        12.05.2015

Submitted - for information, the minutes of meetings of the Central Licensing Sub-committee held on 09.02.15 and 12.05. 2015.

To submit the report of the Head of Regulatory Department

Submitted – for information, the report of the Head of Regulatory Department to raise Members’ awareness of amendments to the Licensing Act 2003: The Deregulation Act 2015.  It was noted that the Deregulation Act 2015 had received Royal Ascent on 26 March 2015 which would provide for the removal or reduction of burdens on businesses, individuals, public sector bodies and individuals.  It was highlighted that the Deregulation Act 2015 dealt with a wide variety of measures and included measures that affect ‘alcohol, sport and entertainment' and specifically the Licensing Act 2003. It was noted that amendments would be introduced gradually.

Attention was drawn to the main measures that would affect the Licensing Act 2003 –

· A68 – Temporary event notices: increase in maximum number of events per year (comes into force on 26.5.15)

· A69 – Personal licence: no requirement to renew (comes into force on 1.4.15)

· S70 – Sale of liqueur confectionery to children under 16: abolition of offence (comes into force on 26.5.15)

·  A72 – Removal of requirement to report loss or theft of licence etc. to police (Comes into force on 26.5.15)

·  A76 – Exhibition of films in community premises (comes into force on 6.4.15).

Despite this, there was no commencement order detailing which days the provisions below would come into force.  It was added that the amendments below would be likely to have an impact on the workload of the Licensing Unit.

· A67 Sale of Alcohol: community events etc. and ancillary business sales 

·  A71 - Provision of late night refreshments

In response to an observation, in the context of the Sale of Alcohol (A67), it was noted that the organiser of any event would have to provide evidence of the need in an application to sell alcohol in any community event.  A Part 5A notice would continue to be effective for a period of three years and would be a notice for the premises only. The cost of the notice would be determined nationally. The purpose of this change was to create a lighter touch authorisation to reduce burdens on our communities.  In addition, it was noted that the format of the notice, along with the enforcement element, had not been introduced thus far.

The intention was to simplify processes of creating community events and not to remove business from other local businesses. The principle was welcomed but it was highlighted that insufficient information had come to hand.  Concern was expressed regarding the additional workload element and lack of resources in the Licensing Unit that would arise as a consequence of the changes.

RESOLVED to accept the recommendation of the Head of the Regulatory Department.

The meeting commenced at 10.00a.m and concluded at 10.55am