Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Harland, Councillor G Hyde was proposed as Chair for the meeting.

RESOLVED – Councillor G Hyde be elected 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 Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

RESOLVED – That in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England)

Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during

consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt 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 public

were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so

designated as follows:-

(a)  Appendix A to the report entitled, ‘Entertainment Licensing Section Update Report – January – June 2015’ , referred to in Minute No. 35 is designated as exempt from publication in accordance with Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(1), (2) (3) and (7) in order to receive information from the (Section Head Entertainments Licensing) on recent licensing issues across the city;

(b)  Appendix B to the report entitled, ‘Leeds Festival 2015 Update’ referred to in Minute No.36 is designated as exempt from publication in accordance with Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3) and (7) in order to receive information from the festival organiser on specific details relating to ticketing and contractors at the festival.

There were no late items submitted to the agenda for consideration.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

No declarations were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Harland, Gettings, Dunn and G Hussain.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 7^th July 2015

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7^th July 2015 be approved as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the Minutes

There were no matters arising from the previous meetings minutes.

To consider a report by the Head of Licensing and Registration which provides an update on the delegated decisions taken by officers of the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Section covering the period 1^st January to 30^th June 2015.

(Report to attached

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report which provided an update with regards to delegated decisions taken by officers.

Members discussed complaints received between 1^st January – 30^th June 2015. Specific issues included the:

• Meaning of “Breach of Licensing Conditions”; and
• Whether inappropriate behaviour could include circumstances where the driver is  temporarily away from his/her vehicle, Officers confirmed that his could be looked into.

Whilst discussing driver suspensions Members considered those relating to drug offences and established that they related to a mixture of supply and use of drugs. Members also noted that “Plying for Hire” suspensions had reduced significantly, and reason for this could potentially be explained by  a period when there staffing capcity issues which  has now is now being addressed.

Members considered the issues surrounding taxi drivers parking illegally whilst waiting for fares. Officers present informed Members that this was an issue for Parking Services and that information would be circulated to Members outside the meeting. Furthermore Members requested that a report be brought to the next meeting of this Committee giving consideration to the use of taxi ranks and parking enforcement by Officers from those responsible departments

RESOLVED –

(a)   That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That information relating to parking enforcement on the city’s streets be provided to the Members  of the Committee; and

(c)  That a report relating to parking enforcement and taxi ranks in the City Centre be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee.

To consider a report by the Head of Licensing and Registration, which informs Members of the available technology and how it fits in with legislation around Taxi & Private Hire licensing.

(Report attached)

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report on available technology and how it fits in with legislation around Taxi and private Hire.

Members discussed the conditions relating to telephone voice recording of bookings applied to Private Hire Operators and the exception to this condition that had been made for those Private Hire Operators who make use of apps.

Also discussed was the market share of apps, Members noted that there would likely always be a need for a local Private Hire Operator to accept bookings without the use of an app.

Members raised concerns about new legislation which would allow Private Hire Operators to sub contract outside of their district. Members viewed the safety of the public to be a priority when new legislation comes into force.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Licensing and Registration which provides an update on matters relating to the Entertainment Licensing Section during the period 1^st January to 30^th June 2015.

(Report attached)

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report which informed the Committee of matters appertaining to the entertainment licensing section during the last six month period.

Members specifically asked about recent  applications considered by Licensing sub-committee and the impact of the CIP red Zone  with regard to such applications. Itwas explained by the officer present that one was a food led restaurant and the other was a re-fit of an existing premises.

Members also discussed what if any monitoring was being done at temporary outdoor events where alcohol was being sold to prevent drink driving at the end of these events. Members were informed of personal responsibilities of those consuming and providing alcohol, and any issues arising involving drink driving would be monitored and referred by the West Yorkshire Police.  It was agreed that that contact would be made with West Yorkshire Police to establish if there had been any incidents following two recent events held under Temporary Event Notices..

Following consideration of Appendix A to the submitted report, designated as

exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information

Procedure Rules 10.4(1) (2) (3) and (7), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was:

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)  That officers look into large outdoor temporary events where alcohol is sold to establish whether there are any agency concerns for drink driving, and that the findings be circulated to Members of this Committee.

To consider a report by the Head of Licensing and Registration which sets out details of progress on the multi-agency meetings and the Event Management Plan for the 2015 Leeds Festival.

    (Report attached)

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report which advised the Committee of the progress of the multi-agency meetings and the Event Management Plan for the 2015 Annual Festival.

The Committee heard from the Festival organiser who informed the Committee about the expected number of attendees and the pricing strategy for day tickets and tickets for camping.

Members discussed whether the additional day tickets would have any impact on local transport routes.  Members were informed that arrangements had been made with transport operators and there should be no evident impact.

Following consideration of Appendix B to the submitted report, designated as

exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information

Procedure Rules 10.4 (3) and (7), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was:

RESOLVED –

(a)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Licensing and Registration to approve the Event Management Plan prior to the start of the event; and

(b)   That delegated authority be given to the Head of Licensing and Registration to approve any minor amendments to the Event Management Plan prior to the start of the event.

To note the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2015/16

(Copy attached)

Members considered the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2015/16.

RESOLVED – the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2015/16 be approved.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 8^th September 2015 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

10:00am Tuesday 8^th September 2015