Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That Councillor G Hyde be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13 -18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19 -20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary or other interests were made.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Licensing and Registration for Off License, 343 Harehills Lane, Harehills, Leeds, LS9 6AX

The report of the Head of Licensing and Registration introduced an application to vary a premises licence at 343 Harehills Lane, Harehills, Leeds, LS9 6AX.  The application sought to extend the hours for the sale by retail of alcohol from 00:00 to 23:59.  Current licensing arrangements permitted the sale of alcohol by retail from 06:00 to 23:00.  Representations regarding the application had been made by West Yorkshire Police and the Council’s Environmental Protection team.

The procedures of the hearing were outlined along with a verbal presentation of the application.

The applicant’s representative addressed the meeting.  The following issues were highlighted:

• It was proposed to open the premises for 24 hours a day gor the sale of other conveniences and groceries as well as alcoholol.
• The applicant had managed the premises since October 2011 and there had been no problems or complaints with relation to the licensing objectives.
• The applicant aimed to promote licensing objectives, used the Check 21 scheme and his business partner was trained regarding the sale of alcohol.
• In response to Members questions, it was confirmed that either the applicant or his business partner would remain on the premises at all times.
• Alcohol sales accounted for approximately 15% of sales at the premises.

The West Yorkshire Police Representative addressed the meeting.  The following issues were highlighted:

• A previous petition from residents of Harehills Lane.  There had been problems in the area with crime and anti social behaviour,
• The introduction of a Designated Public Places Order in the area.
• Doubt was cast on the validity of signatures in the petition that had been submitted supporting the application.
• Problems with people drinking in the street.
• High concentration of off licensed premises in the area.

The Environmental Protection representative also addressed the meeting.  He raised concerns of disturbance to residents if alcohol sales were permitted after 2300.  There were residential premises above the shop and adjacent and it was felt that the area could become a focus for anti-social behaviour with later opening hours.

The applicants representative was invited to summarise and highlighted the following issues:

• Signatures on the petition had been done voluntarily within the shop premises.
• There were 2 premises in Roundhay that operated for 24 hours and there had not been any problems identified with those premises.
• Police confidence that the DPPO would counteract any potential problems.
• Concerns raised were of a general nature and not specific to these premises.
• Lack of objection from local residents.
• The applicant had taken steps to meet all licensing objectives.

RESOLVED – That the application for the sale of alcohol between the hours of 00:00 to 23:59 be refused but the current hours be extended to 06:00 to 00:00 Monday to Thursday and 06:00 to 01:00 Friday and Saturday.