To receive apologies for absence (to include reasons, where appropriate) from Members/Officers.

None.

To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008.

None.

The Chairperson opened the meeting and the appropriate introductions were made.

       The Licensing and Registration Officer advised those present that the meeting was to consider an application for a Review of the Premises Licence submitted by the Chief Officer of Police, attached at Appendix A, in relation to the above premises.  The Premises Licence authorises the provision of late night refreshment at the premises between 2300 and 0000 hours Sunday to Thursday and 2300 to 0200 hours Friday and Saturday.

She advised the Sub-Committee that the Premises Licence Holder is Mr Ramazan Kanal and he had requested an interpreter to be present at the meeting.  She then introduced Ms Khaldi who would is an independent interpreter who was there to assist all Parties and to facilitate in the exchange of information regarding the Hearing.

The Licensing and Registration Officer confirmed that Mr Kanal had received the relevant papers and explained that the application had detailed two main issues in that Mr Kanal had employed a migrant worker who was in the UK illegally, and had not complied with the licensing objectives of the premises which are subject to both licensing and planning regulations.  The current Licence only authorises the provision of hot food and drink, known as late night refreshment.  Whilst the Licensing Authority had granted a licence for certain opening hours, the Premises Licence Holder has a responsibility to ensure appropriate planning provision is in force to match the licensing hours. In the case of this premise there was a difference between was permitted by the Licensing regime and was was permitted by Planning. She informed Members that for reference purposes she had copies of planning applications that were in force at the premises, as well as the latest planning policies.  However, the Planning Department had not made representations regarding this application and therefore the planning decisions could not be reviewed.

She advised that the original Premises Licence Holder was aware that he could not take advantage of the licensing hours until the appropriate planning permission was in force.  In order to comply with both the licensing and planning regimes since October 2013, the premises should only remain open between 2300 hours and midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 2300 to 0100 hours on Friday and Saturday nights. 

She invited the South Wales Police to present their application.

       PC Ellis referred Members to the Home Office Guidance and the Licensing Policy and advised that information highlighted within the review demonstrated a systematic and deliberate failure by Mr Kanal to promote two key objectives, i.e. the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance.  He advised that the Licensing Department in the South Wales Police was an integral part of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP).  He maintained that Maesteg Charcoal Grill is a conduit for committed offences, including the employment of an illegal immigrant and highlighted for Members pages 17, 18 and 19 of the review. 

He reported that UK Border Agency (UKBA) Officers visited the Maesteg Charcoal Grill in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 552.