RESOLVED
That Council be recommended:
(a) That Part 2.2.2 of section 14 of the Constitution be amended as follows to clarify the position in relation to temporary appointments at Head of Service level:
15. The appointment and dismissal of staff to include temporary appointments at Deputy Chief Officer (Head of Service) level for a period not exceeding three months.
(a) That delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer to make consequential amendments to the Constitution, including the terms of reference of the Senior Staff Committee and any related policies or documents.
(b) That the Senior Staff Committee be notified by the Chief Executive of temporary appointments as soon as reasonably practicable.
The Chair proposed, using his prerogative as Chair, that the substantive motion be approved by unanimous consent rather than taking a further vote on the amendment as no objections were raised, and the Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the proposed constitutional change to Council.
Decided: The Chair noted that the next meeting is on 7 December 2026. Members asked for the work programme to be updated after the next quarterly technical meeting, to include a site visit before the COTs/DFG report (on Disabled Facilities Grants for home adaptations). They asked for the revised programme to be circulated to Members.
Decided: The committee noted and debated the strategy. It agreed the report had been scrutinised in enough detail. It asked for more information on deprivation, on Lower Layer Super Output Areas (small statistical areas used for data, not electoral wards), and on dementia data for people aged 65 and over. Officers agreed to share the deprivation data and to review the dementia data and report back.
Decided: Members welcomed the report and acknowledged the work of officers. They agreed that the Corporate Parenting Board Terms of Reference would be circulated to Members.
Decided: Members recognised the positive findings and the areas for improvement, and thanked staff. They noted that an action plan was in place and asked for continued assurance through progress updates. Officers agreed to circulate an updated action plan.
RESOLVED: to REFUSE the application:
A premises licence application had been submitted for 280 High Street, Bangor. A new company called Dragon Shop Ltd was incorporated at Companies House on 21 July 2026 with the registered address of the location as 280 High Street, Bangor. The sole director of the company was Mr Mostafa Bayzidiazar, and he appeared on behalf of the company that had submitted the application. Mr Bayzidiazar told the Sub-committee that he had not purchased the property, and that the application had been made in order to decide whether he would buy the property or not.
The Public Protection Service, as the relevant authority, submitted representations stating that the premises had been subject to a Closure Notice in June 2026 due to evidence of multiple test purchases of illegal cigarettes/tobacco, seizure of counterfeit goods including toys, vape devices, cigarettes and tobacco. The applicant stated that this happened before he considered buying the premises. However, the Sub-committee was informed that further allegations of illegal cigarettes and tobacco were reported on 30 June 2026 and 27 August 2026. In addition, it was reported that on 8 September 2026, the shop's employees had clarified that Mr Bayzidiazar was the current owner of the shop.
The Sub-committee was made aware through the Public Protection Service, which had received information and data through the UK-wide Trading Standards services forum, that Mr Bayzidiazar was also involved with a premises in Rochdale which had been the subject of a Closure Notice. Mr Bayzidiazar denied that he was associated with any Closure Notice, stating that he had purchased the premises after the Closure Notice had been issued at a much lower price due to the illegal activities that had been taking place there, and that he was now trading as a legitimate entity.
Information was also provided to the Sub-committee that the existing premises had a hygiene rating of 1 and that the premises had failed to register as a food outlet in accordance with Public Protection Legislation, which raised concerns about a lack of co-operation and compliance with regulations. Mr Bayzidiazar did not explain the proposed opening hours for the shop, or provide the current opening hours for the premises, as he was not yet involved in the business.
Taking consideration of comments from a member of the public who had submitted objections verbally at the meeting and through a written objection, the Sub-committee considered the comments which described anti-social behaviour problems as a result of the shop being open late into the night (sometimes until 2am or 3am), and that this attracted further anti-social behaviour to the area. The Sub-committee was concerned that granting a licence would potentially attract more young people to convene there, which could exacerbate behavioural problems.
The Sub-committee considered the information provided by Mr Bayzidiazar on behalf of the company that had made the application. However, there was a lack of clarity regarding several key issues, which included the premises' ownership, the proposed opening hours, and the measures that would be implemented to protect the public. As a result, the Sub-committee had not been persuaded that everything would be carried out "legally" as no robust management plan or detailed strategy had been presented.
The Sub-committee was not satisfied that the operating schedule submitted with the application adequately addressed the concerns that had been raised during the hearing. No evidence was received that effective measures would be put in place to address the issues surrounding counterfeit goods, which had been found at the premises in recent months. Moreover, the Sub-committee was not provided with adequate evidence or assurance that any alcohol, vapes, or tobacco goods sold on the premises would be genuine and sourced legally, beyond Mr Bayzidiazar's assertion that all future operations would be carried out legally.
The Sub-committee was also concerned about the information that had been received from Rochdale Trading Standards in relation to sites associated with Mr B, and therefore considered them relevant to the application.
The Sub-committee had also read the comments of BCUHB Public Health Service which had objected to the application based on the licensing objectives of public safety and protection of children from harm. Their concerns related to alcohol-related harm in Gwynedd, particularly as the Deiniol ward was recognised as one of the most deprived areas in Gwynedd, and that there was a clear link between alcohol availability and alcohol-related crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. They had asked the Sub-committee to consider the wider well-being implications of the application, particularly in relation to vulnerable individuals, children and young people.
The Sub-committee noted that neither North Wales Police nor the Fire Service objected to the application.
In considering the licensing objectives, the Sub-committee concluded that the application, as submitted, did not provide adequate assurance that the licensing objectives would be upheld. Specifically, the Sub-committee was not satisfied that the objectives of preventing crime and disorder, ensuring public safety, and protecting children from harm would be adequately promoted by Mr Bayzidiazar and Dragon Shops Ltd, given the evidence presented regarding recent issues associated with the premises, and the individual associated with the application.
The Solicitor reported that the decision would be formally confirmed by letter to everyone who had submitted written observations. She added that all parties to the application had the right to submit an appeal to Caernarfon Magistrates' Court against the Sub-committee's decision. Any such appeal should be lodged by giving notice of appeal to the Chief Executive, Llandudno Magistrates’ Court, Llandudno within 21 days of the date the appellant receives the letter (or a copy of the letter) confirming the decision.