Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P.M. Edwards, A.L. Fox, T.J. Jones and A.S.J. McPherson.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of personal interest.

 

3.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEES HELD ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:-

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3.1

LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE "A" HELD ON 14TH DECEMBER 2021. pdf icon PDF 278 KB

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Minutes:

3.2

LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE "B" HELD ON 7TH DECEMBER 2021. pdf icon PDF 355 KB

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Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee “B” held on the 7th December, 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

4.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE HELD ON THE 15TH DECEMBER, 2021. pdf icon PDF 323 KB

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Minutes:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on the 15th December, 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

5.

GAMBLING POLICY REVIEW pdf icon PDF 325 KB

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Minutes:

The Committee received a report on the review of the Gambling Policy which included the Consultation Document 2021 and revised Gambling Policy –Gambling Act 2005.

 

Members noted that the current Gambling Policy, adopted by the authority December 2018. The legislation required it to be reviewed at least every three years to ensure that it reflected feedback from the local community that the statutory objectives were being met.

 

It was reported that the Authority had liaised closely with a representative of the Gambling Commission as well as the licensing sections of, Pembrokeshire, Powys and Ceredigion licensing authorities, with the aim of ensuring as far as possible a consistent approach to the revised Gambling Policy.  The Authority’s Licensing Section in conjunction with the Council’s Legal Department had reviewed the policy document in light of the consultation responses. The Committee noted the key changes to the Gambling Policy as stated in the report.

 

The following comments/queries were raised in relation to the report:-

 

·       In reference to one of the key statements raised as a result of the consultation exercise and review; “No clear evidence that specific areas of the county are suffering with gambling related problems”, it was asked from what source and evidence was this statement formulated?  The Licensing Lead explained that the statement was formed on the basis of the responses received as part of the consultation.

 

·       In response to a query regarding Casino’s, the Licensing Lead explained that whilst currently there were no Casino’s operating in Carmarthenshire, there was no resolution in place to prohibit casinos in the County at present.  However, Casinos are only permitted within certain regions of the UK and Carmarthenshire is not included on the list of those regions and therefore the Authority is not in a position to issue a Casino Licence.

 

·       Concerns were raised in relation to the advertising of virtual/online casino’s and that the accessibility of which was an issue for many individuals. The Licensing Lead informed the Committee that virtual/online gambling was controlled by the Gambling Commission and therefore the Authority had no power to control advertising relating to this method of gambling. However, the Authority intends to share the concerns raised in the consultation responses regarding remote gambling with the Gambling Commission. 

 

·       In relation to outlets that housed gambling machines, the Licensing Lead informed the Committee that in order to protect children and vulnerable persons from harm or being exploited by gambling, the authority intends to engage further with licensees to ensure that sufficient measures would be in place to monitor that under 18-year-olds do not have access to the adult only gaming machines.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CABINET that the amended Gambling Policy be approved.

6.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS THEY CONTAIN EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 12 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007 AS THEY CONTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL.

 

IF, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST, THE COMMITTEE RESOLVES PURSUANT TO THE ACT TO CONSIDER THESE ITEMS IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.

MR DONALD LYN EVANS - HACKNEY CARRIAGE/PRIVATE HIRE DUAL DRIVERS LICENCE

Minutes:

The Committee was informed that Mr Donald Lyn Evans of 1 Llwyd Road, Ammanfordwas a licensed hackney carriage/private hire dual driver with this Authority.

 

The Senior Licensing Committee informed the Committee members of the issues that had arisen in respect of his license. 

 

The Committee interviewed Mr Evans with regard to the issues raised by the Senior Licensing Officer.

 

The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mr Evans’ Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Drivers Licence be revoked.

 

The Committee thereupon:

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to retire into private session in order to receive legal advice pursuant to Paragraph 16 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that, in line with the Council’s guidelines, Mr Evans’ Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Drivers Licence be Revoked.

 

Reason:

 

On the evidence presented, the Committee was satisfied that Mr Evans’ actions were reasonable cause to revoke the licence.

 

 

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