Agenda and minutes

IN ATTENDANCE 

Mrs B Yearwood – LCC Area Community Safety Co-Ordinator (East Leeds)

Inspector E Chesters – Killingbeck & Seacroft Neighbourhood Policing Team

The Chair noted this would be the last Committee meeting prior to the local and General Elections called for 6 May 2010. He expressed his thanks to colleagues for their hard work during the 2009/10 Municipal Year and wished all Members well in the forthcoming elections.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Castle and Hanley.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 1^st December 2009

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 1^st December 2009 be agreed as a correct record

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) setting out proposals for a Designated Public Places Order to be made covering the Seacroft and Killingbeck areas in East Leeds

(Report attached)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report setting out proposals for a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) to be made to cover the area of Seacroft and Killingbeck in East Leeds as detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report. The report outlined the background to the proposals and the consultation process undertaken so far.

Mrs B Yearwood attended the meeting to present the proposals and explained this DPPO was intended for use as another measure to address alcohol related incidents of anti social behaviour which affected the area. She stated incidents of alcohol related assaults occurred throughout the ward and a particular issue was the presence of groups of youths who pressurised adults into purchasing alcohol for them. It was noted the ward had a high proportion of licensed shops and public houses compared to other wards in Leeds.

Inspector E Chesters of West Yorkshire Police (WYP) explained the measures already in place to assist with policing the area and went onto state that this DPPO would provide the police with additional powers to deal with incidents of alcohol related anti social behaviour. Insp. Chesters was mindful of the impact the forthcoming World Cup and associated celebrations could have on instances of street drinking. 

The report included schedules and maps detailing the type and locations of anti social behaviour in the area. Members commented on the number of hotspots identified. It was reported that two of these were very close to the two large supermarkets within the ward, the remaining hotspots identified streets where residents were known to hold impromptu “street parties”.

The Committee discussed the pricing strategy of supermarkets with regards to alcohol sales. Members also considered the interpretation of the measures contained within a DPPO and were assured that police officers and PCSO’s within East Leeds received training on the measures in order to ensure consistency of approach.

RESOLVED –

a)  That approval be given for a Designated Public Places Order to be made in respect of Seacroft and Killingbeck as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report and detailed in the map attached at Appendix 3

b)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods be authorised to advertise the making of the Order, to procure the required signage and to carry out any further steps necessary to bring the Order into force

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on the next steps in the process of determining the grant of a Large Casino Premises Licence under the terms of the Gambling  Act 2005. The Council is now at the start of the preliminary stages for this process.

(Report attached)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on the next steps to be taken by the Authority in the process of determining the grant of a Large Casino licence under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005. It was noted the Authority had now reached the preliminary stages of the process in terms of establishing a Project Board within the Department of Development and procuring an Advisory Panel to advise the Licensing Committee.

Members noted that operators had started to show an interest in the progress of the Authority and were advised to record any approaches made to them directly by interested parties as outlined in the letter from the Section Head, Entertainment Licensing.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on the process of reviewing the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, as required by Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report on the process of reviewing the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, as required by Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Officers reported the Policy remained fit for purpose but required amendment to incorporate the changes relating to Community Premises and Minor Amendments implemented by Central Government. The Committee noted the five Cumulative Impact Areas within Leeds would also be reviewed as part of the process.

Members recalled earlier discussions on the impact of alcohol sales from supermarkets, proxy sales and youth drinking and went onto make the following comments

“Check 25”

-  Suggested a “Check 25” condition be implemented on Premises Licences held by supermarkets and off-licences.

-  The Committee was advised that this could not be imposed as a “blanket condition” but could be included within the Policy as an indication of the commitment the Committee would like to see from all applicants seeking a Premises Licence for a supermarket and/or off licence.

-  WYP as the relevant Responsible Authority would liaise with prospective applicants over this measure. Applicants could then choose to offer Check 25 within their management plan for the premises included within their application or choose not to offer it. WYP could then consider whether to raise a representation, thereby securing a hearing before a Sub Committee where Members could consider the specific application on its own merits and determine whether to impose any conditions or not.

-  The Committee was supportive of this suggestion and noted that further consultation and evidence gathering would have to be undertaken with WYP and possibly the Primary Care Trusts prior to it being included within the Revised Policy.

Test Purchases

-  Members noted that 2 successful test purchases in a short period would now constitute the offence of persistent under age sales rather than 3 instances.  

-  The Committee accepted a suggestion that representatives from WYP and West Yorkshire Trading Standards be invited to attend a future meeting to explain their approach to the issues of proxy sales and youth drinking.

-  Members also requested representatives from LCC Youth Services be invited to attend to present the advice about alcohol given by the Service to young people, preventative measures and the activities on offer.

RESOLVED

a)  To note the contents of the report

b)  To note the intention to invite representatives of various organisations; including West Yorkshire Trading Standards, Leeds Youth Services and WYP; to future Committee meetings to provide an overview of their role in the work undertaken to address the issues of proxy sales and the culture of youth drinking.

c)  To note the Committees’ support for the Statement of Licensing Policy to be amended in order to incorporate a “Check 25” requirement for all supermarket and “off-licence” Premise Licences and the work necessary to make that amendment

Member Training –.Officers outlined the proposed itinerary for a night time visit around the city for the Committee and Members of the Licensing and Regulatory Panel. The visit could incorporate a CIP area, an area with a DPPO in place, a presentation by WYP and provide an overview of the night time economy within the city centre including taxi and private hire issues. The date for the visit would be confirmed to Members following the election.

To note the provisional date of the next Licensing Committee meeting as Tuesday 20^th July 2010 at 10.00 am

RESOLVED – To note the provisional date and time of the next Committee meeting as Tuesday 20^th July 2010 in the new Municipal Year