Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Haydn Bateman, Local Member, Mold Broncoed Ward.

None were received.

The Chairman explained the procedure for hearing and determining the application and detailed the order in which speakers would be able to address the Sub-Committee.

That the Premises Licence be granted to Mold Town Council in respect of  events such as plays, live music, recorded music, performance of dance, and the supply of alcohol from 10.00 am, with the following conditions imposed:

(i)         No alcohol to be sold after 9.30 pm and all events to be finished by 10.00 pm.

(ii)        A maximum of 10 days a year to be allowed for holding such events

(iii)       Mold Town Council is to notify North Wales Police and local residents at least a week in advance of such events

(iv)       Adequate portable toilets are to be provided

(v)        Adequate fire safety measures are to be in place

(vi)       Mold Ornamental Park to close at 7.00 pm with the exception of carol concert events which are to finish by 9.30 pm

(vii)      The applicant is to comply with Challenge 21 and any other Police advice

(viii)     No alcohol to be taken into or off the site during an event 

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment which was presented by the Licensing Officer for determination of an application for a premises licence.  He advised that the area that the proposed licence would cover included Maes Bodlonfa Recreation Field, Kendrick’s Field and Mold Ornamental Park.  The application was to include plays, live music, recorded music, performance of dance, and the supply of alcohol between the hours of 10:00 am and 10:30 pm.  The Licensing Officer reported that it was intended to use the licence on ten occasions per year.

The Licensing Officer confirmed that the application had been advertised in the correct manner and drew attention to the additional steps to be taken by the applicant to promote the licensing objectives.   Representations had been received from members of the public. 

The Licensing Officer advised that a number of concerns had been raised against the application by residents from the area and were appended to the report.

4.1                         Representations by Responsible Authorities

There were no representations by Responsible Authorities.

The Licensing Officer reported that North Wales Police had not objected to the application.  

4.2       Representations by the Applicant

Councillor Robin Guest presented the case for the application on behalf of the applicant and explained that he was Mayor of Mold Town Council at the time the application was made.  He referred to a reduction in “footfall” in Mold town centre, an increase in pub closures and vacant units, and the fragile trading conditions experienced by many local businesses.  He explained that maintaining Mold’s vibrancy and vitality was a key objective of the Town Council, County Council, and Town Partnership.  The promotion of events and initiatives to bring people into Mold was a key consideration for the development of the town.  He said Mold aspired to being known as a Festival Town and this objective had been widely consulted on and was supported by residents, traders and visitors. 

Councillor Guest advised that the Mold Sense of Place study had identified that the community wished to see a specific events area developed for the town.  Ten different sites had been considered and Kendrick’s Field had been identified as the best option due to its proximity to the town centre, its services, and overall accessibility.  He reported that Kendrick’s Field, the Maes Bodlonfa Recreation Field, and the Mold Ornamental Gardens had been used previously to hold a number of events, and he cited the Town Carnival and music festivals as examples, without problems.    Councillor Guest commented that the areas the proposed licence would cover were recreation facilities owned by the community through Flintshire County Council and that the type of events suggested in the application were in  keeping with the intended use of the areas.

Councillor Guest referred to the number of events which had been held successfully by Mold Town Council under Temporary Event Notices, however, due to an increase in the general public attending such events this procedure  was no longer appropriate.  In summary he drew attention  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There were two members of the press and seven members of the public in attendance.