Loading
There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
The Lead Lawyer presented the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee Procedure, for information.
The Chair welcomed all attendees and requested that all present introduced themselves. The Licensing Officer reported on the application for a new Premises Licence in respect of DSC Food & Wine, 51 Terrace Road, Swansea, SA1 6PE which had been received by the Authority on 23 April 2025. The property was situated on Terrace Road. It was an end of terrace property in a residential area. The premises was to be used as a convenience store. The application proposed: Supply of Alcohol (off the premises) Monday to Sunday 0800-2300 Specific reference was made to the application for a premises licence at Appendix A. The plan was detailed at Appendix A1. The location plan and licensed premises within the area was attached at Appendix B and B1. The Licensing Officer referred to the licensing objectives, policy considerations, the guidance from the Home Office and action following consideration of the Responsible Authority’s and Other Persons Representations. Conditions which were consistent with the operating schedule and would be attached to the licence, if granted, were attached at Appendix C. Relevant Representations were detailed at Appendix D, D1 and D2. Representations had been received from 6 other persons along with a petition containing 147 signatures. Mr. Batthal, speaking on behalf of local residents, expanded upon the written representations concerning the potential undermining of the Licensing Objectives. He articulated several objections, asserting that the proposed premises would negatively impact the following objectives: - Prevention of Crime and Disorder - Public Safety - Prevention of Public Nuisance - Protection of Children from Harm Mr. Batthal highlighted that the proposed premises are situated along a primary route used by children walking to school. He noted the absence of a school crossing patrol (formerly a lollipop lady), raising concerns about the safety of children crossing the road, particularly if disturbances were to occur outside the premises. He further reported that elderly residents of Norfolk and Rhonda Streets already experience difficulties due to intoxicated individuals in the area, which discourages them from walking to Terrace Road to access public transport. It was felt that the establishment of the proposed premises would exacerbate these issues, further diminishing the quality of life for both elderly residents and children. In response to questions from the Chair and Lead Lawyer, Mr. Batthal clarified the following: · The current issues in the area are not directly attributed to the existing Londis store. · The crime statistics referenced cover a half-mile radius. · Additional concerns included littering, noise, and anti-social behaviour, which could spill onto the busy main road connecting Townhill and Mount Pleasant. · The area currently lacks a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). · Although not a current resident, Mr. Batthal owns a former bakery on Harcourt Street, which is undergoing refurbishment. · Approximately 50 to 60 mothers walk their children past the proposed premises on their way to school. · The petition opposing the application was signed by residents of Terrace Road and Norfolk Street. The Licensing Officer confirmed that the crime statistics cited include incidents from the High Street area. Mr. S. Panchal, representing the Applicant, provided the following assurances and clarifications: · The Applicant had 8 to 10 years of experience in the retail sector, with no recorded breaches of licensing conditions. · A comprehensive set of operational procedures would be implemented, including staff training, a Challenge 25 policy, prominent signage regarding ID checks and noise, and the maintenance of incident and refusal logs. · The premises would be equipped with internal and external CCTV, accessible to Responsible Authorities. · Alcohol would not be sold to patrons who appear intoxicated. · The premises would feature an alarm system and a panic button, enhancing safety for staff and the community. · A delivery service would be available for local residents. · Spirits would not be available via self-service. · The store would create employment opportunities for local residents. · The Applicant was committed to engaging with the local community. · Applicant had agreed to reduce the hours of operation to 08:00–22:30 on a Sunday. · The proposed premises would operate as a convenience store that sells alcohol, rather than a traditional off-licence. In response to a query from the Applicant’s Agent regarding the petition, the Residents’ Representative confirmed that the petition was made available in a local store to accommodate residents with mobility challenges. Councillor D. Phillips, speaking on behalf of himself and two fellow councillors, reiterated concerns regarding the potential undermining of the Licensing Objectives. He raised the following points: · He questioned the lack of proximity-based restrictions for alcohol sales, noting that while casinos are restricted from operating within 400 metres of a school, no such rule applies to alcohol retailers. · The local school was already surrounded by seven licensed premises, including the Co-op on Walter Road, contributing to a cumulative impact. · There was a risk that children may be exposed to individuals consuming alcohol in public. · An increase in foot traffic from individuals seeking alcohol could lead to greater public nuisance. · The premises are located on a busy main road between Townhill and the City Centre, which may encourage more street drinking. · Concerns were raised about traffic management, particularly regarding deliveries and parking by patrons. · He welcomed the proposed reduction in Sunday operating hours to 08:00–22:30. In closing, the Applicant’s Representative emphasised the robust measures proposed to uphold the four Licensing Objectives. He expressed confidence in the conditions outlined in the operating schedule and noted that any breach could result in revocation of the licence. While acknowledging existing parking challenges, he stated that such matters fall outside the Committee’s remit. He highlighted the Applicant’s investment in revitalizing a vacant property, the Applicant’s strong compliance history, and the intention to serve the local community. He respectfully urged the Committee to approve the application. It was resolved that the press and public be excluded from the hearing in accordance with paragraph 14 of the Licensing Act (Hearings) Regulations 2005, to enable the Sub-Committee to take legal advice. The Chair thanked the participants for their attendance. (Closed Session) Members discussed the issues relating to the application. (Open Session) The Chair indicated that the Sub-Committee had considered the application, and all representations made and the needs and interests of all parties in terms of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, Statutory Guidance, and the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003. The Sub-Committee Resolved to Grant the application for a premises licence subject to the conditions consistent with the modified operating schedule and as considered appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives as below: Supply of Alcohol (off the premises) Monday to Saturday 0800-2300 Sunday 0800-2230 Conditions consistent with Operating Schedule 1) CCTV shall be installed to Home Office Guidance standards and maintained in a good working condition and recordings shall be kept for 31 days and shall be made available to police and authorised Officers from the council. 2) The CCTV system shall be capable of obtaining clear facial recognition images and a clear head and shoulders image of every person entering or leaving the premises. 3) The CCTV system shall display on any recordings, the correct date and time of the recording. 4) A member of staff trained in the use of the CCTV system shall be available at the premise at all times that the premises are open to the public. 5) A CCTV camera shall be installed to cover the entrance of the premises and further cameras installed to cover the internal area and servery counter. 6) A suitable intruder alarm complete with panic button shall be fitted and maintained. 7) An incident log shall be kept at the premises, and made available for Inspection on request to an authorised officer of the council or the Police, which will record the following: a) all crimes reported to the venue b) all ejections of patrons c) any complaints received d) any incidents of disorder e) all seizures of drugs or offensive weapons any faults in the CCTV system f) any refusal of the sale of alcohol g) any visit by a relevant authority or emergency service. 8) Staff training must be documented and based on legislation and operating procedures. All training shall be signed and dated, and a copy of such records will be available for inspection by Police and local authority enforcement officers. 9) All staff employed at the premises will have UK right to work status checked, once passed that stage they shall be offered employment. 10) All alcohol shall be purchased from AWRS registered cash & carry and wholesalers. 11) There shall be no self-service of spirits on the premises. 12) Fire exit signs displayed. 13) CCTV working at all times. 14) Notice displayed asking customers to leave quietly from premises also customers will be told in person to leave quietly and not to disturb the local neighbourhood. 15) Strict policy in place to tell all staff not to serve alcohol to drunks at all. 16) Appropriate signage will be displayed, in prominent position informing customers they are being recorded on CCTV. 17) A challenge 25 policy will be in force, where any person looking under the age of 25 shall be asked to prove their age when attempting to purchase alcohol and signs to this effect will be displayed at the premises. Challenge 25 posters displayed where alcohol is sold. 18) The only acceptable ID will be those with photographic identification documents, including passport, photo-card, driving license or proof of age card bearing the PASS hologram. A refusal book shall be kept at the premises and updated as and when required, and made available for inspection on request to an Licensing Officer, Police or other responsible authority. 19) A sign stating “No proof of age – No sale” shall be displayed at the point of sale. Reason for Decision The Committee noted the property was situated on Terrace Road. It was an end of terrace property in a residential area. The premises was to be used as a convenience store. The Committee noted no representations had been received from South Wales Police, Trading Standards, Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, Health and Safety, Planning Authority, Pollution Division, Child Protection, The Local Health Board, The Licensing Authority, or Immigration. The Committee noted Representations had been received from 6 other persons along with a petition containing 147 signatures The representation in objection received from Other Persons and Local Members, amplified their written representations in relation to the undermining of the Licensing Objectives. They detailed their objections stating that the premises would undermine the Licensing Objectives in relation to the Prevention of Crime & Disorder, Public Safety, the Prevention of Public Nuisance, and the Protection of Children from Harm. The Local Members highlighted the complaints received from local residents regarding anti-social behaviour from vagrants visiting the nearby Bail Hostel, people congregating on street corners and parking issues. Additionally, the member questioned the lack of proximity-based restrictions considering the nearby school, but noted no such rule applies to alcohol retailers, equally the location of the proposed business does not activate a cumulative impact. The Applicant’s Representative and the Applicant rebutted the Other Persons comments stating that they understood the concerns raised and that if the licence is granted they will work with the local residents and Responsible Authorities to jointly work together in the prevention of Crime and Disorder, the Applicant stated that high-definition cameras were being installed outside the premises, which would afford additional 24-hour surveillance to the area. Additionally, the curtilage of the premises would be suitably lit. Additionally, staff would be fully trained in the sale and supply of alcohol and Responsible Authorities would be able to check the CCTV and relevant documentation requested. The premises would sell a wide range of goods, alcohol would not be the only product on offer at the shop and the shop would be open to all local residents. In response to Member questions, the Applicant and Applicant’s representative confirmed that they would be content for the hours of business to be modified, on a Sunday, consistent with other local establishments and the premises would aim to employ local residents who would not add to parking pressures. In conclusion, the Applicant’s Representative emphasised the robust measures proposed would uphold the four Licensing Objectives. He expressed confidence in the conditions outlined in the operating schedule and noted that any breach could result in revocation of the licence. While acknowledging existing parking challenges, he stated that such matters fall outside the Committee’s remit. He highlighted the Applicant’s investment in revitalizing a vacant property, the Applicant’s strong compliance history, and the intention to serve the local community. In line with the applicants many years of retail experience he urged the Committee to approve the application. The Committee noted that the Applicants experience in retail, that they had attempted to engage with Responsible Authorities prior to the Committee and had offered modified Sunday opening hours consistent with other local establishments that also sold alcohol. In conclusion, the Committee were satisfied that the Applicants reasoning and justification for the for the application were significant and sufficient enough to alleviate the representations from local residents to sufficiently promote the licensing objectives to agree a grant of the application with the modified condition offered.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.