A RUGBY club in Merthyr Tydfil has been granted a temporary licence for a firework display despite concerns from police.
A temporary event notice was granted with some variations to timings by the council’s statutory licensing committee on Monday, October 16, for the event on Friday, November 3 at Treharris RFC, which will include the sale of alcohol.
South Wales Police had raised concerns about an ongoing investigation into an alleged sale of alcohol to someone who was underage, and a recent incident in which two people were allegedly assaulted during a charity event.
The original application was for the sale of alcohol from 5.30pm to 9.30pm and opening hours of 5.30pm to 10pm but the committee chose to vary the notice to include an 8.30pm finish for alcohol sales and a 9pm closing time.
Following an agreement with the applicant, the committee also chose to remove the pitch from the application and to remove the off sales. They also added several conditions.
The committee was told by the council’s licensing manager that the fireworks display is also going through the event safety advisory group process for approval.
The event is described as a firework and bonfire display with alcohol and food being consumed outside.
The licensing committee report said the temporary event notice (TEN) is intended to cover the clubhouse and outdoor areas, as well as the rugby field which is not covered by the premises licence.
The application said food and drink would be consumed outside within the safe area of the premises, not on the pitch where the display is being held at a safe distance.
There will be stalls selling sweets, gadgets, soft drinks and alcohol.
A counter would be used to ensure the maximum number of people (499) on site is not exceeded in line with the licence and insurance policy.
In the objection, Steven Moseley from South Wales Police said due to the recent incidents, the force objected to the TEN for the sale of alcohol.
He added: “South Wales Police are aware that there has been ongoing issues at the premises where there has been altercations, notably, during a TEN which was a football presentation.
“It has reached a point where the reported incidents and concerns from the local community has highlighted the potential for crime and disorder and the lack of promoting the licensing objectives.”
He said he appreciated “this will cause frustration to the applicant” but his stance on the TEN application was relayed to a council licensing officer.
During the meeting he said that when he attended the club to check the CCTV footage related to the alleged sale of alcohol to someone who was underage, he was told there was a water leak which caused the system to malfunction and it is being examined by the police.
He said the claim can’t currently be proved due to the lack of CCTV footage.
Applicant Heather Baker-Beck said: “Restrictions on this licence are absolutely crushing. We’re trying to build this business up. We went in there in February with absolutely nothing.”
She said they’ve turned it into a lovely place with children coming in and they’ve had two blips but said there’s not a licensed premises out there that this isn’t happening in.
She presented three letters of support from residents who live closest to the club and she said “they can see how hard we are trying there”.
She added: “We’re trying to build a business. I’m all for the four objectives of licensing. I support it fully. But it just seems to be that rather than working with us, we now feel we’re working against licensing all the time.”
She said the business feels “totally victimised” and the trade they are losing is “phenomenal”.
Speaking about the alleged assault, she was told it was managed well. She added that a new CCTV system has been installed with 13 cameras so all of the external areas apart from the pitch will be covered.
She said the club is a family hub of the village and they’re raising money for many good causes and later added that they’ve spent £5,000 on door security since the end of March.
Councillor Declan Sammon, chair of the committee, said: “The committee are very concerned with some of the previous incidents that have been mentioned but are also mindful of the fact that you say that you’re trying to turn around the fortunes of the club and the reputation of the club.”
He said it would be “very important” for the applicant, the committee and members of the club that this event passes without incident.
Cllr Sammon said he hopes the event goes really well, that there are no incidents and said the three committee members have gone against recommendations given by the police and the licensing department.
