Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

All parties were welcomed to the meeting and all present introduced.  The hearing procedures had been circulated previously to all parties and copies of the Statement of Licensing Policy had been made available at the meeting.

Councillor Hugh Irving was formally appointed Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Hugh Irving was formally appointed Chair for the meeting.

No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest had been raised.

No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest had been raised.

To consider an application from North Wales Police for the review of a Premises Licence submitted in accordance with Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003 (an outline of the submission and associated papers are attached).

Please note the procedure to be taken by the Sub Committee (which is attached to this agenda).

RESOLVED that the conditions on the Premises Licence be modified in line with the modifications as recommended by North Wales Police in their Review Application.

A report (previously circulated) was submitted upon –

(i)         an application having been received from North Wales Police for the Review of a Premises Licence in respect of The Glanglasfor, 1 Glanglasfor, Rhyl (a copy of the existing Premises Licence and current operating schedule having been attached as Appendix A to the report);

(ii)       the grounds for review as stated on the application being as follows –

“as a result of the premises failing to promote the four licensing objectives, specifically the Prevention of Crime and Disorder, the Prevention of Public Nuisance and the Protection of Children from Harm.  Additionally concern has been raised that the premises is in breach of its premises licence hours.  Despite attempts by North Wales Police and Denbighshire County Council to address the concerns raised, the premises has failed to engage on a continued basis.  North Wales Police have a lack of confidence in the Designated Premises Supervisor, the Premises Licence Holder and Management of the Premises to responsibly manage the premises”

full details of the Review Application having been attached as Appendix B to the report but in summary related to an incident on 3 March 2022 with serious concerns raised regarding a potential breach of the premises licence; drunk persons on the premises; failure to control customers; age verification policy; children drunk on the premises and the premises facilitating a lock in which included children, and the subsequent lack of engagement by the Premises Licence Holder/Designated Premises Supervisor to discuss those concerns and previous concerns relating to Covid in October 2020;

(iii)      reference having been made to the joint enforcement protocol with North Wales Police and the Council involving a Level 1 engagement meeting with the premises for allowing customers to get drunk on the premises and a failure to provide CCTV to Police following a serious assault on the premises;

(iv)      in view of the incidents associated with the premises, North Wales Police submitted that the premises did not have sufficient measures in place to promote the four licensing objectives, and also highlighted the Premises Licence Holder/Designated Premises Supervisor’s lack of engagement with both the Police and the Council.  Consequently, the Police had sought a review of the premises licence and requested members consider a number of additional measures as a form of resolution (Appendix C to the report);

(v)       there having been no further representations received from Responsible Authorities or members of the public in response to the requisite public notice of the Review Application;

(vi)      the need to consider the Review Application taking due account of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy; Guidance issued by the Secretary of State; other relevant legislation and representations received, and

(vii)    the options available to the committee when determining the application.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report and outline the facts of the case.

APPLICANT’S (NORTH WALES POLICE) SUBMISSION

Mr. Aaron Haggas, Police Licensing Officer for Conwy and Denbighshire was in attendance on behalf of the North Wales Police.

In making the case for the Police, Mr. Haggas explained that the Police sought to engage with licensed premises at the first opportunity following any concern which tended to be a formal letter with an expectation of an acceptance or decline of that offer.  It was frustrating when those invited did not attend and more frustrating when subsequent invitations were ignored.  The importance of a working relationship between all responsible authorities and licensed premises was highlighted and the Police were fully aware of the challenges and demands of the licensing industry.  However, there was a responsibility to actively promote the four licensing objectives and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.