Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 1 April 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 1 April 2015 be approved as a correct record, subject to Councillor P Smith being added to the list of apologies.

Lynda Anthony, Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety gave a presentation regarding the Cumulative Impact Policies (CIP) . She explained that the cumulative impact was the potential impact on the promotion of the licensing objectives of a significant number of licensed premises concentrated in one area. It was stated that the 4 licensing objectives were:-

·       The Prevention of Crime and Disorder

·       Public Safety

·       The Prevention of Public Nuisance

·       The Protection of Children from Harm

The last review was in 2013 when a Cumulative Impact was adopted for Wind Street, Kingsway and surrounding areas together with High Street and College Street. Before a CIP is introduced it must be evidence based with consultation on the proposals. The effect of a CIP was outlined as well as the practical application of the CIP. The CIP in 2013 was adopted because the Authority was satisfied that there was a need on the basis of :-

·       The number of licensed premises supplying alcohol and

·       The level of crime and disorder and public nuisance

It was stated that since the introduction of the CIP, 16 new and 2 variation applications had been submitted of which 11 were granted, 4 were withdrawn and 2 refused. It was suggested that a report be submitted to a future meeting detailing the reasons why 2 applications had been refused and why 4 had been withdrawn.

If the existing CIP was to be reviewed a review of the up to date evidence would need to support any changes. The usual review period was 5 years.

Questions were asked regarding whether a review could take place and if there were provisions to widen the area covered by the CIP. It was considered beneficial if representatives of the Police attend the next meeting in order to seek their views on the Cumulative Impact Policy.

Lynda Anthony was thanked for her useful and informative presentation and it was requested that this presentation be circulated to all Members of the Cabinet Advisory Committee.

Members of the Cabinet Advisory Committee gave feedback from the site visits undertaken to the District Shopping Centres of Morriston and Clydach.

Morriston

The Chair stated that when the Committee  visited Morriston, Members thought that one hour was inadequate. Therefore, it was proposed that the Committee undertake a return visit before giving feedback.

Clydach

Members thought that the roads were not wide enough and that like many other district centres there was inadequate parking. It was stated that as the Bank was now closed for 2 days a week and the Post Office moving from the centre had caused a detrimental effect on trade. One of the ways the parking problems could be alleviated was the narrowing of the wide pavement outside the bank to allow parking spaces. It was recognised by Members that Clydach was in need of a facelift and would benefit from grant funding in order to  improve the area. It was thought that a common thread around these shopping centres was the lack of footfall in the centres.

RESOLVED that the site visits to Regional District Centres continue on 27 March 2015.

 The workplan was updated verbally.

It was proposed that site visits to the Regional District Centres of Gorseinon and Pontardulais take place on 27 May 2015. It was suggested that a representative of the Police be invited to the next meeting to gain their perception regarding the Cumulative Impact Policy.

It was also thought beneficial if the Committee investigated ‘legal highs’ and David Picken be invited to address the committee on this matter. However, as there was a possibility that the Communities CAC were investigating this that the Chair, Councillor Andrea Lewis be invited to the next meeting. 

As there would also be feedback at this meeting from the site visits, the Chair requested that the presentation on Healthy Cities presently scheduled for the next meeting, be deferred to the following meeting.

RESOLVED that the amended workplan be approved.