
Integrated Impact Assessment - Licensing Policy 2026
Our Integrated Impact Assessment is designed to help our decision making and ensure that a proposal:
- is aligned to the Council’s Corporate Well-being Objectives
- complies with the Equality Act 2010, including our socio-economic duty
- complies with the Welsh Language Measure 2011 (Welsh Language requirements)
- contributes to the National Well-being goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and incorporates the principles of Sustainable Development
- considers risk management and data management.
The Integrated Impact Assessment is categorised into the 7 National Well-being Goals for Wales:
- A prosperous Wales – where everyone has jobs and there is no poverty
- A resilient Wales – where we’re prepared for things like floods
- A healthier Wales – where everyone is healthier and can see the doctor when they need to
- A more equal Wales – where everyone has an equal chance whatever their background
- A Wales of cohesive communities – where communities can live happily together
- A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language – where we have lots of opportunities to do different things and where people can speak Welsh if they want to
- A globally responsible Wales – where we look after the environment and think about other people around the world
Proposal Details
Title of Policy / Proposal / Initiative
- Review of Ceredigion County Council Statement of Licensing Policy.
Service Area
- Public Protection / Licensing.
Officer completing Integrated Impact Assessment
- Lawrence Martin, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager.
Corporate Lead Officer
- Alun Williams.
Please give a brief description of the purpose of the proposal
Routine statutory five-yearly review of licensing policy.
Who will be directly affected by this proposal?
The limited changes will primarily affect current and future licensees, their staff, clients, and others in the vicinity of licensed premises, including both businesses and residents.
Have those who will be affected by the proposal had the opportunity to comment on it? Please provide details.
The limited changes will primarily affect current and future licensees, their staff, clients, and others in the vicinity of licensed premises, including both businesses and residents.
Version Control
Version Number | Author | Decision making stage | Date Considered | Description of any amendments made |
1.0 | Lawrence Martin | Before formal consultation | 09/10/2025 | Not applicable. |
Council Corporate Well-being Objectives
Which of the Council’s Corporate Well-being Objectives does this proposal address and how?
Ceredigion Council Corporate Strategy 2022-27
Boosting the economy, supporting business, and enabling employment
- These changes clarify and streamline licensing processes and provide clearer guidance to businesses.
Creating caring and healthy communities
- The changes in relation to personal safety, proxy sales and Martyn’s law help protect people and communities.
Providing the best start in life and enabling learning at all ages
- Guidance on the employment of children and proxy sales helps protect young people and prevent under age sales.
Creating sustainable, greener, and well-connected communities
- Inclusion of workplace recycling requirements is brought to the attention of licensees.
National Well-being Goal: A Prosperous Wales
An innovative, productive, and low carbon society where everyone has decent work and there is no poverty.
Does the proposal contribute to this goal? Describe the positive or negative impacts.
Positive impacts
- Clearer licensing conditions (e.g. model conditions, designated premises supervisors) support business compliance and reduce administrative burden.
- Workplace recycling requirements promote low-carbon practices.
- Guidance on child employment helps ensure lawful and safe working conditions for young people.
Negative impacts
- Increased compliance costs for small businesses (e.g. recycling infrastructure, event safety planning).
- Stricter conditions may deter new entrants or smaller operators from applying for licences.
What evidence do you have to support this view?
These are logical arguments and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to mitigate any negative impacts or better contribute to this National Well-being Goal?
Ensure that guidance is clear as possible and support current or future licensees who positively wish to aim for full compliance.
National Well-being Goal: A Resilient Wales
A society where biodiversity is maintained and enhanced and where ecosystems are healthy and functioning.
Does the proposal contribute to this goal? Describe the positive or negative impacts.
Positive impacts
- Workplace recycling requirements contribute to environmental sustainability and reduce landfill waste.
Negative impacts
- Implementation may be uneven if smaller premises lack resources or awareness
What evidence do you have to support this view?
These are logical arguments and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to mitigate any negative impacts or better contribute to this National Well-being Goal?
Ensure that guidance is clear as possible and support current or future licensees who positively wish to aim for full compliance.
National Well-being Goal: A Healthier Wales
A society where people make healthy choices and enjoy good physical and mental health.
Does the proposal contribute to this goal? Describe the positive or negative impacts.
Positive impacts
- Emphasis on personal safety and vulnerability (eg, safeguarding, anti-harassment) improves public health outcomes.
- Proxy sales provisions help prevent underage drinking.
- Martyn’s Law enhances safety at public venues.
Negative impacts
- Increased responsibilities for staff may require additional training and support.
- Some venues may struggle to implement safety measures without external guidance.
What evidence do you have to support this view?
These are logical arguments and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to mitigate any negative impacts or better contribute to this National Well-being Goal?
Ensure that guidance is clear as possible and support current or future licensees who positively wish to aim for full compliance.
National Well-being Goal: A More Equal Wales
A society where everyone has an equal chance whatever their background or circumstances.
This section is longer because you are asked to assess the impact of your proposal on each group that is protected by the Equality Act 2010.
If you have identified no greater impact on the groups listed than on the general population, you should select ‘None/Negligible’.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people because of their age?
Children and Young People up to 18
- Positive
People 18-50
- None / Negligible
Older people 50+
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts.
Positive impacts
- Safeguarding and vulnerability provisions support those at risk of exploitation.
- Employment of children guidance helps prevent unlawful or unsafe working conditions.
- Proxy sales provisions protect young people from harm.
Negative impacts
- None expected.
What evidence do you have to support this?
These are logical arguments and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
There are no expected negative impacts.
The implementation of Martyn’s Law will include actions to ensure that its application does not result in unlawful discrimination.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people because of their disability?
Hearing Impairment
- None / Negligible
Physical Impairment
- None / Negligible
Visual Impairment
- None / Negligible
Learning Disability
- None / Negligible
Long Standing Illness
- None / Negligible
Mental Health
- None / Negligible
Other
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts.
None anticipated.
What evidence do you have to support this?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people who are transgender?
Trans Women
- None / Negligible
Trans Men
- None / Negligible
Non-binary people
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts
Negligible impact in this respect.
What evidence do you have to support this?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people with different sexual orientation?
Bisexual
- None / Negligible
Gay Men
- None / Negligible
Gay Women/Lesbian
- None / Negligible
Heterosexual/Straight
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts
Negligible impact in this respect.
What evidence do you have to support this?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people who are married or in a civil partnership?
People who are married
- None / Negligible
People in a civil partnership
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What evidence do you have to support this?
There is no evidence to suggest that this group would be affected differently to any other group.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people who are pregnant or on maternity leave?
Pregnancy
- None / Negligible
Maternity
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts
Negligible impact in this respect.
What evidence do you have to support this?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to mitigate any negative impacts or better contribute to positive impacts?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people because of their ethnic origin?
Asian / Asian British
- None / Negligible
Black / African / Caribbean / Black British
- None / Negligible
Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Groups
- None / Negligible
White
- None / Negligible
Other Ethnic Groups
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts
Negligible impact in this respect.
What evidence do you have to support this?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people with different religions, beliefs, or non-beliefs?
Buddhist
- None / Negligible
Christian
- None / Negligible
Hindu
- None / Negligible
Humanist
- None / Negligible
Jewish
- None / Negligible
Muslim
- None / Negligible
Sikh
- None / Negligible
Non-belief
- None / Negligible
Other
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts
Negligible impact in this respect.
What evidence do you have to support this?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on men or women?
Men
- None / Negligible
Women
- Positive
Describe the positive or negative impacts
Negligible impact in this respect on men.
The safeguarding and vulnerability provisions may emphasise the need for licensed premises to ensure that they introduce measures to support women who it is suggested are more likely to be subject to drink spiking.
What evidence do you have to support this?
Spiking: factsheet - GOV.UK (external link): In a YouGov poll in December 2022, 10% of women and 5% of men said they had been spiked.
Drink Spiking Report | Drinkaware (external link): 9% of males report thinking they have ever been a victim of drink spiking and 13% of females.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between men and women?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people from the Armed Forces Community?
Members of the Armed Forces
- None / Negligible
Veterans
- None / Negligible
Spouses
- None / Negligible
Children
- Positive
Describe the positive or negative impacts
The provisions to emphasise proxy sales and employment of children responsibilities are likely to have a direct positive impact on children.
What evidence do you have to support this?
This is a logical conclusion and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
Socio-economic Duty
Socio-economic disadvantage means living on a low income compared to others in Wales, with little or no accumulated wealth, making it more difficult to access basic goods and services.
Family background or where a person is born still affects their life. For example, a child from a wealthy family often does better at school than a child from a poor family, even if the poorer child is more naturally academic. This is sometimes called socio-economic inequality.
Do you think this proposal will have a positive or a negative impact on people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage?
- None / Negligible
Describe the positive or negative impacts
Negligible impact in this respect.
What evidence do you have to support this?
This is a logical conclusion and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you to take to mitigate any negative impacts?
Is there an opportunity to use this proposal to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or encourage good relations between people in this group and the rest of the population?
No negative impacts are anticipated in this respect.
National Well-being Goal: A Wales of Cohesive Communities
A society with attractive, viable, safe, and well-connected communities.
Does the proposal contribute to this goal? Describe the positive or negative impacts.
Positive impacts
- Beer garden and large-scale event provisions may contribute towards the management of noise and anti-social behaviour.
- Martyn’s Law and personal safety updates promote safer public spaces.
Negative impacts
- Tighter controls may be perceived as restrictive by some community groups or businesses.
- Potential for increased complaints or enforcement actions during transition.
What evidence do you have to support this view?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to mitigate any negative impacts or better contribute to the goal?
Ensure that any new controls are fairly and transparently applied, aiming to apply these controls proportionately across the licensed sector.
National Well-being Goal: A Wales of Vibrant Culture and Thriving Welsh Language
A society that that promotes and protects culture, heritage, and the Welsh language and which encourages people to take part in the arts, sports, and recreation.
Does the proposal contribute to this goal? Describe the positive or negative impacts.
Positive impacts
- Licensing policy updates may indirectly support cultural events and venues.
- Welsh language requirements (if embedded in licensing communications) promote bilingualism.
Negative impacts
- No explicit new provisions in the policy regarding Welsh language or cultural promotion.
- Risk of missed opportunity if Welsh language is not actively considered in implementation.
What evidence do you have to support this view?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to mitigate any negative impacts or better contribute to the goal?
Ensure that the Welsh Language Standards are met in the implementation of the new elements.
With reference to the following, do you think this proposal will have a positive or negative effect on the Welsh language?
Opportunities for people to use the Welsh language
- None / Negligible
Treating the Welsh language, no less favourably than the English language
- None / Negligible
What evidence do you have to support this view?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to increase the positive impact or mitigate any negative impact on the Welsh language?
As above, ensure that the Welsh Language Standards are met in the implementation of the new elements.
National Well-being Goal: A Globally Responsible Wales
A society that considers how our actions might impact on other countries and people around the world.
Does the proposal contribute to this goal? Describe the positive or negative impacts.
Positive impacts
- Recycling and sustainability measures align with global environmental goals.
- Martyn’s Law reflects international standards on counter-terrorism and public safety.
Negative impacts
- Increased regulatory burden may be challenging for smaller venues.
What evidence do you have to support this view?
These are logical conclusions and the effects of the changes will only be measured over time.
What action(s) can you take to mitigate any negative impacts or better contribute to the goal?
Ensure that guidance is clear as possible and support current or future licensees who positively wish to aim for full compliance.
Strengthening the Proposal
If you have identified any negative impacts in the above sections, please provide details of any practical changes and actions that could help remove or reduce the negative impacts.
What will you do? | When? | Who is responsible? | Progress |
Ensure that guidance remains as clear as possible and support current or future licensees who positively wish to aim for full compliance. | On the adoption of the new policy. | Licensing Service. | |
Ensure that the Welsh Language Standards are met in the implementation of the new elements. | On the adoption of the new policy. | Licensing Service and Language Policy Officer | |
Ensure that any new controls are fairly and transparently applied, aiming to apply these controls proportionately across the licensed sector. | On the adoption of the new policy. | Licensing Service. |
If no action is to be taken to remove or mitigate negative impacts, please justify why. (If you have identified any unlawful discrimination then the proposal must be changed or revised.)
Not applicable.
How will you monitor the impact and effectiveness of the proposal?
The implementation will be subject to report to the Licensing Committee and, where required, scrutiny committees.
Sustainable Development Principle: 5 Ways of Working
Describe below how you have implemented the five ways of working in accordance with the sustainable development principle of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
Long term
Balancing short-term needs with long-term need and planning for the future.
- Martyn’s Law and personal safety provisions help prevent future harm and improve public confidence in licensed venues.
- Workplace recycling requirements support long-term environmental sustainability.
- Model conditions and clearer guidance reduce future administrative burdens and legal disputes.
Collaboration
Working together with other partners to deliver.
In particular:
- Martyn’s Law and safety provisions require joint planning between licensing authorities, emergency services, and venue operators.
- Large-scale event controls promote coordinated efforts with event organisers, police, and environmental health teams.
Involvement
Involving those with an interest and seeking their views.
- This impact assessment and consultation process reaches out to those with an interest and seeks their views.
Prevention
Putting resources into preventing problems occurring or getting worse.
- Proxy sales and employment of children provisions help prevent underage drinking and unlawful employment.
- Large-scale event controls help prevent noise complaints and anti-social behaviour.
- Designated premises supervisor updates ensure accountability and reduce risks of poor management.
Integration
Considering the impact of your proposal on the four pillars of well-being (social, economic, cultural and environment) the objectives of other public bodies and across service areas in the Council.
The changes impact on:
- Social well-being: through safeguarding and community safety.
- Economic well-being: by supporting compliant business operations.
- Environmental well-being: via recycling and sustainability measures.
- Cultural well-being: through potential support for Welsh language and local events.
Risk
Summarise the risk associated with the proposal.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Impact Criteria |
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High |
Likelihood Criteria |
Unlikely to occur | Lower than average chance of occurring | Even chance of occurring | Higher than average chance of occurring | Expected to occur |
Risk Description | Impact | Probability | Score (Impact x Likelihood) |
Increased regulatory burden, especially in terms of Martyn's Law and workplace recycling requirements. | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Inconsistent implementation. | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Data processing
Will the proposal involve any new or significant change to existing processing of data?
No new or significant change.