Agenda and minutes

To seek nominations for the election for the position of Chair.

RESOLVED – To elect Councillor I Wilson as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

1)  To highlight reports or appendices which:

a)  officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

b)  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

c)  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information

2)  To note that under the Licensing Procedure rules, the press and the public will be excluded from that part of the hearing where Members will deliberate on each application as it is in the public interest to allow the Members to have a full and frank debate on the matter before them.

Agenda item 6 - Application for the Grant of a Premises Licence for Neils Superstore, 9 - 11 Reginald Row, Potternewton, Leeds, LS7 3HP- The Sub Committee had received supplementary information provided by West Yorkshire Police which had been designated as exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (7).

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (7) from the part of the meeting where discussion was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information, particularly information relating to action taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime. (minute 6 refers)

There were no formal late items, however, supplementary information was submitted in relation to item 6 – Application for the Grant of a Premises Licence for Neils Superstore and item 7 - Application for the Grant of a Premises Licence for Rileys.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

No decelerations of interest were made.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory regarding an application for the grant of a premises licence made by Mr Malkit Singh, for Neils Superstore, 9 - 11 Reginald Row, Potternewton, Leeds, LS7 3HP.

The Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory submitted a report for Members consideration on an application for the grant of a premises licence made by Mr Malkit Singh, for Neils Superstore, 9 - 11 Reginald Row, Potternewton, Leeds, LS7 3HP.

Attending the meeting were:

• Duncan Craig, Barrister, St. Philips Chambers – Applicant’s Representative
• Malkit Singh – Applicant and Proposed Designated Premises Supervisor
• PC Neil Haywood, West Yorkshire Police (WYP) – Objector

The Legal officer explained the procedure for the hearing. The Applicant’s Representative tabled an additional document containing details of email correspondence sent to WYP on the 25^th of January 2023. PC N Haywood, as the other present party, noted he had not seen this document but agreed for its contents to be discussed.

The Licensing Officer presented the application informing Members of the following points:

• The application was for the grant of a premises licence made by Mr Malkit Singh, for Neils Superstore, 9 - 11 Reginald Row, Potternewton, Leeds, LS7 3HP.
• The premises was to trade as an off licence and had previously benefited from a premises licence which was revoked by the Licensing Sub Committee in August 2020 following a review sought by WYP.
• In summary the application was for: The sale by retail of alcohol (for consumption off the premises) Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 22:00. It was noted that the hours applied for were less than those authorised by the revoked licence and the Licensing Officer highlighted an error in the report in respect of the hours proposed.
• A history of the premises was available from point 2 of the report, detailing the review of the previous licence, submitted by WYP, with the Licensing Sub Committee resolving to revoke the licence on the 19 August 2020.
• A copy of the application form was available at appendix A of the report and proposed conditions were available at appendix B.
• The representation in objection to the application by WYP was available at appendix D, 15 comments in support of the application had been received, with redacted copies available at appendix E. A list of licenced premises within the locality was detailed at appendix F.
• The applicant team had submitted a supplementary document containing the personal licence obtained by the applicant and WYP had provided bodycam footage which was exempt from press and public viewership.

The applicant’s representatives provided the Sub-Committee with the following information:

• The Legal Representative had been appointed after the unsuccessful appeal of the revoked licence and had liaised with the previous representative and the applicant. The licence had been revoked nearly 4 years prior and WYP had been contacted regarding the application on the 25^th of January 2023; WYP had responded saying they were to object.
• The incident which led to the revocation was outlined as a youths going into the premises and using a stolen bank card and smartphone to make purchases. The majority of the sales were conducted by the applicant’s son, who was noted to be less experienced and then  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory regarding an application for the grant of a premises licence made by WPC7 Ltd., for Rileys, Unit 1, 123 Albion Street, Leeds, LS2 8ER.

The Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory submitted a report for Members consideration on an application for the grant of a premises licence made by WPC7 Ltd., for Rileys, Unit 1, 123 Albion Street, Leeds, LS2 8ER.

Attending the meeting were:

• Chris Rees-Gay, Woods Whur – Applicant’s Representative
• Craig Mayes, CEO, WPC7 Ltd - Applicant

The Legal Officer explained the procedure for the hearing. Clearer colour copies of the Landlord Pack, contained within the first supplement pack for Item 7 were tabled by the Applicant’s Representative, with agreement from the Chair.

The Licensing Officer presented the application informing the Members of the following points:

• The application was for the grant of a premises licence made by WPC7 Ltd., for Rileys, Unit 1, 123 Albion Street, Leeds, LS2 8ER and was proposed to operate as a social, competitive sports and entertainment venue.
• In summary the application was for: sale by retail of alcohol every day 10:00 – 03:00 (for consumption both on and off the premises) late night refreshment every day 23:00 – 03:00 and exhibition of a film every day 10:00 – 03:00. Non-standard timings: Licensable activities were to be extended from the end of the permitted hours on New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day.
• A copy of the application form was contained within appendix A on page 61 of the report pack. Agreements had been reached with the Environmental Protection Team (EPT) and WYP and details were available at appendix D and E, respectively. As part of supplement pack 2, additional agreed conditions were contained.
• 8 representations had been made in objection, on the grounds of public nuisance and were contained at appendix F on page 91 and remained an outstanding matter for consideration by the Sub-Committee.
• Members were advised that the premises was within the Cumulative Impact Assessment Area (CIA) for the City Centre but was not within the two red zones, so licences, and appended conditions, were to be tailored to address the measures and impact on the CIA.
• A list of surrounding licensed premises was available at appendix H from page 167 of the report pack.

The applicant’s representatives provided the Sub-Committee with the following information:

• The application was sought to be granted, as applied for and including the additional conditions contained in supplement pack 2.
• The application was submitted by WPC7 Ltd on behalf of Rileys. Rileys was founded in 1878 and had been operating venues on a largely unchanged model since 1976.
• Tables and equipment for playing snooker, pool, table tennis, golf and darts were provided at the venue, with 13 existing sites across England, Scotland and Wales. The venue was largely targeted at students but was open for all ages. 4 full time and 20 part times jobs were to be created upon approval of the licence.
• Historically, there had not been a review held against any of the Rileys Venues. The applicant / CEO for WPC7 Ltd held 25 years of experience within the organisation and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.