Wrthi'n llwytho
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RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 8 December, 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the applications to record Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 as public rights of way be refused and no Orders be made. NOTE: Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as his employer has taken an interest in public rights of way in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle in the past. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Saville left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Andrew Wood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as he is the applicant. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Wood left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Alan Hunter declared a personal interest in the above item as he attends events at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hunter able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Ros Griffiths-Williams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as she has recorded and submitted her family’s use of the paths. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Griffiths-Williams left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Thomas Montgomery declared a personal interest in the above item as he attended a private event at Gwrych Castle in 2025. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Montgomery was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Keith Eeles declared a personal interest in the above item as he is the Local Member for Gele and Llanddulas. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Eeles was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Geoff Stewart declared a personal interest in the above item he had engaged in the sale by previous owners of both the land and property. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Stewart was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Paul Luckock declared a personal interest in the above item as he and his family have walked the paths in dispute for many years and he has previously provided a statement detailing his use of the paths. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Luckock was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in the above Item he is friends, on a social media platform, with a Gwrych Castle Trustee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Simon Croft, who was not a Member of the Committee, declared a personal interest in the above Item as he is an occasional volunteer at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Croft was able to speak but not vote on the matter.
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED: That, a Private Hire Vehicle Licence (new application) not be granted on the grounds that the proposed vehicle did not meet Conwy’s Private Hire Vehicle Conditions of Licence, specifically “All vehicles must be under five years old from the date of the first registration”. Note: Councillors Paul Luckock and Goronwy Edwards did not participate in the debate or vote on the matter as they had yet to received Licensing training.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Abdul Khan.
Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as his employer has taken an interest in public rights of way in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle in the past. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Saville left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Andrew Wood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he is the applicant. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Wood left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Alan Hunter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he attends events at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hunter was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Ros Griffiths-Williams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as she has recorded and submitted her family’s use of the paths. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Griffiths-Williams left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Thomas Montgomery declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he attended a private event at Gwrych Castle in 2025. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Montgomery was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Keith Eeles declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he is the Local Member for Gele and Llanddulas. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Eeles was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Geoff Stewart declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he had engaged in the sale by previous owners of both the land and the property. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Stewart was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Paul Luckock declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he and his family have walked the paths in dispute for many years and he has previously provided a statement detailing his use of the paths. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Luckock was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he is friends on a social media platform with a Gwrych Castle Trustee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Simon Croft, who was not a Member of the Committee, declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(i) - Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle as he is an occasional volunteer at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Croft was able to speak on the matter but not vote.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 8 December, 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 8 December, 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 8 December, 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the applications to record Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 as public rights of way be refused and no Orders be made. NOTE: Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as his employer has taken an interest in public rights of way in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle in the past. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Saville left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Andrew Wood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as he is the applicant. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Wood left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Alan Hunter declared a personal interest in the above item as he attends events at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hunter able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Ros Griffiths-Williams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as she has recorded and submitted her family’s use of the paths. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Griffiths-Williams left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Thomas Montgomery declared a personal interest in the above item as he attended a private event at Gwrych Castle in 2025. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Montgomery was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Keith Eeles declared a personal interest in the above item as he is the Local Member for Gele and Llanddulas. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Eeles was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Geoff Stewart declared a personal interest in the above item he had engaged in the sale by previous owners of both the land and property. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Stewart was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Paul Luckock declared a personal interest in the above item as he and his family have walked the paths in dispute for many years and he has previously provided a statement detailing his use of the paths. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Luckock was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in the above Item he is friends, on a social media platform, with a Gwrych Castle Trustee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Simon Croft, who was not a Member of the Committee, declared a personal interest in the above Item as he is an occasional volunteer at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Croft was able to speak but not vote on the matter.
The Solicitor for the Local Authority advised Members that the solicitors, who were acting for the applicant, had circulated legal submissions and a witness statement in support of the Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications late on Friday 23rd January. The submissions included criticisms of the Local Authority’s process in dealing with the application, which were not accepted. All interested parties had more than adequate opportunity to put forward their evidence and it was made clear in correspondence sent in December, 2025 that the Authority would not be accepting further submissions. It was considered inappropriate to be sending detailed submissions directly to Members at such a late stage. The submissions were also not appropriate in terms of discharging the Authority’s duty to review the evidence and the legal test, which the Committee was being asked to apply, which was whether there was sufficient evidence that a public right of way was reasonably alleged to subsist. In addition, the Solicitor clarified that the meeting was not a Licensing Hearing and that the Committee would not be hearing from any of the interested parties. Members were asked to make their determination based on the evidence provided within the report and the associated documentation and in line with the tests set out in the officer’s report. The application had been the subject of significant delay and it was contrary to proper administration to see the matter deferred further. The Local Authority was satisfied that the process had been sound. Members were advised that the contents of the information presented by the applicant’s solicitor and shared on Friday 23.01.2025 should not be taken into account as part of their deliberations and decision making and that the matter be determined. The Head of Neighbourhood Services introduced the report and outlined the purpose of the meeting, to consider four applications to record routes on the Definitive Map and Statement under Section 53(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The routes lay on or adjacent to land within the grounds of Gwrych Castle in the communities of Abergele and Llanddulas. Reference was also made to the following: · The Council’s neutral role as the Order-making Authority · The importance of Members determining whether a public right of way existed or could be reasonably alleged to subsist, applying relevant legal principles. · The question of whether paths would be beneficial to the community was expressly not under consideration. · The appointment of an independent rights-of-way expert, Mr Robin Carr, through the Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management (IPROW) to review the evidence submitted by the applicants and objectors. It was reiterated that although the report was comprehensive and professionally recognised, Members were not obliged to follow the recommendations. · The legal framework and the two principal methods of establishing a public right of way (a) Section 31 Highways Act 1980 – Use ‘As of Right’ and (b) Common Law Dedication. · Summary of evidence and consultant’s findings for each route (Routes 1-4). In considering the report, Members made reference to the following: · The robustness of the procurement process for an independent rights-of way expert · Clarification was sought in terms of the registration with HM Land Registry not being determinative in DMMO decisions · Some Members cited long-standing community use and referenced historic maps. - Officers clarified the strict legal tests and the requirement for evidence tied to the statutory 20-year period. · Some Members highlighted historical perception of the land as private and the presence of barriers and signage. - Officer advised that evidence of landowner intention to prevent dedication carried significant legal weight. · In respect of Natural Resource Wales’ (NRW) position, Members were informed that NRW objected to the Town and Village Green application, which was a separate process and that their position on the DMMO would be a matter for NRW to determine at inquiry. · Cost of an inquiry – it was acknowledged that an inquiry would incur costs to the Council, including representation and that objectors and applicants would bear their own legal costs. A proposal to support the officer’s recommendations with the Committee report and refuse all of the applications in respect of Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 was proposed and seconded. A proposal to modify orders for Routes 1, 2 and 4 (excluding Route 3) was proposed and seconded. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED: That the applications to record Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 as public rights of way be refused and no Orders be made. NOTE: Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as his employer has taken an interest in public rights of way in the vicinity of Gwrych Castle in the past. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Saville left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Andrew Wood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as he is the applicant. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Wood left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Alan Hunter declared a personal interest in the above item as he attends events at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hunter able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Ros Griffiths-Williams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item as she has recorded and submitted her family’s use of the paths. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Griffiths-Williams left the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed. Councillor Thomas Montgomery declared a personal interest in the above item as he attended a private event at Gwrych Castle in 2025. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Montgomery was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Keith Eeles declared a personal interest in the above item as he is the Local Member for Gele and Llanddulas. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Eeles was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Geoff Stewart declared a personal interest in the above item he had engaged in the sale by previous owners of both the land and property. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Stewart was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Paul Luckock declared a personal interest in the above item as he and his family have walked the paths in dispute for many years and he has previously provided a statement detailing his use of the paths. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Luckock was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in the above Item he is friends, on a social media platform, with a Gwrych Castle Trustee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Simon Croft, who was not a Member of the Committee, declared a personal interest in the above Item as he is an occasional volunteer at Gwrych Castle. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Croft was able to speak but not vote on the matter.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That, a Private Hire Vehicle Licence (new application) not be granted on the grounds that the proposed vehicle did not meet Conwy’s Private Hire Vehicle Conditions of Licence, specifically “All vehicles must be under five years old from the date of the first registration”. Note: Councillors Paul Luckock and Goronwy Edwards did not participate in the debate or vote on the matter as they had yet to received Licensing training.
Further to minute 511 (08/12/2025), Members were informed that due to an administrative error, the applicant had been given the opportunity to resubmit his application. Members were required to determine an application for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence (new application) for an Audi A6 vehicle registered in 2014 (registration RJ14 SXU) and consider whether, in light of the information presented, the application could be granted or refused. RESOLVED: That, a Private Hire Vehicle Licence (new application) not be granted on the grounds that the proposed vehicle did not meet Conwy’s Private Hire Vehicle Conditions of Licence, specifically “All vehicles must be under five years old from the date of the first registration”. Note: Councillors Paul Luckock and Goronwy Edwards did not participate in the debate or vote on the matter as they had yet to received Licensing training.
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