The Licensing Committee convened to discuss and approve the draft Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP). While the SLP was approved, the committee chose to remove any information relating to the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) from the policy, pending further information from South Wales Police. The updated SLP will be subject to a two-week consultation period and may return to the committee for further review.

Statement of Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impact Assessment

The committee reviewed a report presented by Kirsty Evans, Senior Licensing Officer, regarding the proposed draft Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP) and a draft Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA). The purpose of the report was to provide members with the documents for consideration before proceeding to the Cabinet and Council for approval.

Key points of discussion included:

• Concerns over specific areas: A committee member raised concerns about the inclusion of Wyndham Street and Market Street in the analysis of licensing issues, citing a lack of awareness of licensed properties on Wyndham Street and questioning the accuracy of the CIA in reflecting crime and disorder in areas near Market Street. Kirsty Evans, Senior Licensing Officer, clarified that the meeting's focus was to review police evidence for the CIA, and members could opt to remove the CIA from consideration if unsatisfied with the evidence.
• Impact on businesses: A member suggested reconsidering the policy's impact on businesses, to ensure that the policy did not make it challenging for certain types of businesses to operate. Kirsty Evans, Senior Licensing Officer, responded that the CIA would not change how licensing decisions were made under the Licensing Act, with each application reviewed individually to ensure it would not increase crime and disorder, particularly in the Saturation Area of Bridgend Town Centre.
• Assessments in other towns: A member inquired whether similar assessments were required in other towns like Maesteg, Pencoed and Porthcawl. Kirsty Evans, Senior Licensing Officer, stated that police data reviews in those towns did not indicate a need for a CIA, with findings limited to areas of Bridgend.
• Data Timeliness: A member noted that the police data was a year old and suggested deferring a decision until more current data was available. Kirsty Evans, Senior Licensing Officer, explained that data would always be historic due to the policy review timeline. While a decision could be deferred, the council had a statutory duty to review the policy.
• Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO): A member asked about introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in areas under the CIA. Kirsty Evans, Senior Licensing Officer, clarified that PSPOs and CIAs are separate elements under different legislation and not a matter for the committee.

The Committee decided to approve the Statement of Licensing Policy, but to remove any information relating to the CIA. The reason given was that further information was required from South Wales Police before it could be fully considered. The updated SLP will be subject to a two-week consultation period and may return to the committee for further review.

The Licensing Act 2003 requires licensing authorities to create a Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP) to outline their approach to licensing applications. The SLP must be reviewed every five years, in consultation with the police, fire and rescue authority, local health board, and representatives of local premises licence holders, club premises certificate holders, personal licence holders, businesses and residents. A Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) can be published stating that the number of licensed premises in an area is such that granting further licenses would undermine the licensing objectives. Once introduced, a CIA must be reviewed every three years.

Approval of Minutes

The committee approved the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 21 May 2025.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Steven Bletsoe declared a personal interest as a member of Bridgend Town Council, Coity Higher Council, a governor of Pen Y Bont School and other volunteer organisations that occasionally apply for temporary events notices.

Councillor Steven Easterbrook declared a personal interest as a member of Bridgend Town Council, a town centre trader, and a member of the Bridgend Traders Forum. He also referenced section 2.8, stating that planning and licensing regimes should remain separate to avoid duplication and inefficiency.