Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor L.D. Evans.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received

The Chair advised that no questions on notice had been submitted by members.

The Executive Board considered a report on the review of the Statement of Licensing Policy. The current Licensing Policy was adopted by the Authority in January 2019 following a consultation regarding the adoption of a Cumulative Impact Assessment in respect of Lammas Street, Carmarthen. Legislation currently requires the Licensing Policy to be reviewed at least every five years to ensure that it reflects feedback from the local community that the statutory objectives are being met.  A full review was last undertaken in 2015.

The Licensing Policy relates to all licensed premises, including those which form part of the daytime economy. The policy review consultation was originally planned to commence in March 2020, however, as a consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic, it was postponed to a more appropriate time and also in order to ascertain whether the statutory review period would be extended. As the 5 year review period was not extended, the consultation was amended to focus on the main statutory areas for consultation and was open for a limited period.  It was proposed that a further, more detailed consultation would be undertaken once the

Coronavirus emergency period has ended.

This consultation exercise took place between the 14th of December, 2020 and the 10th of January, 2021. Approximately two thousand individuals and organisations, including licence holders and their representatives, Town and Community Councils, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, County Councillors, Council departments and Responsible Authorities were consulted.  

The Licensing Section had reviewed the policy document, in conjunction with the Council’s legal department, in light of the consultation responses, revised government guidance, amendments to the Licensing Act and recent case law.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT IT BE RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:-

5.1       that the amended Statement of Licensing Policy be approved;

5.2       that the existing Cumulative Impact Assessment be retained for Station Road, Llanelli and Lammas Street, Carmarthen, as detailed in Section 10 of the policy.

The Executive Board considered a Notice of Motion referred to the Board for consideration by Council at its meeting held on 10^th February, 2021 as follows:- 

“Fireworks are used by people throughout the year, to mark different events. Whilst they can bring much enjoyment to some people, they can cause significant anxiety and fear for some individuals and also animals (both pets and livestock). Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause them to self-harm. CCC is called upon to....

(1)       Require all organised public displays within the Local Authority’s      boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents             to take necessary precautions for their animals and vulnerable people;

(2)       Actively promote a Public Awareness Campaign about the impact of           fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people, including the     precautions that can be instigated to mitigate the risks, along with             detailing the existing regulations;

(3)       Encourage local suppliers of fireworks to only stock a “quieter version”        of fireworks than used for public displays;

(4)       Write to both UK and Welsh Governments urging them to review and          consider the existing legislation and to limit the maximum noise level of     fireworks to 90dB that can be sold to the members of the public for        private use.”

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that, for the reasons stated above, the Notice of Motion be supported and that the position across Wales be ascertained with view to a further report being brought back to the Executive Board by October.

[NOTE: Councillors C. Campbell, G. Davies, E. Dole, H.A.L. Evans, P.M. Hughes, P. Hughes-Griffiths, D.M. Jenkins, L.M. Stephens and J. Tremlett had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

The Executive Board considered a Notice of Motion referred to the Board for consideration by Council at its meeting held on 10^th February, 2021 as follows:- 

“That Carmarthenshire Council:

• Notes that communities in Carmarthenshire are currently dealing with the biggest medical and financial crisis in recent years, as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact families and businesses;
• Agrees that it is not appropriate for school consultations on matters such as education provision to be carried out during the pandemic in any instances which conflict with Labour Welsh Govt guidelines;
• Will continue to monitor the viability of Carmarthenshire schools as required by Welsh Government, and take any necessary action following public consultation in an open and transparent manner.”

The Executive Board was informed that, in view of the good practice guide included in the revised non-statutory guidance received from Welsh Government on the 12^th February, it was proposed to extend the consultation period of School Organisation Code related proposals until the end of the summer term, namely Friday, 16^th July, 2021, which would also allow sufficient time for interested parties to prepare and submit their views and any alternative plans.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that, for the reasons stated above, the Notice of Motion be supported in so far as consultations relate to matters which are subject to the School Organisation Code procedures.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.