Agenda and minutes

Councillor G Wilkinson was elected as Chair for the meeting.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 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 25, 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.

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.

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

To identify any applications as late items of business which have been admitted to the agenda for consideration.

 (the special circumstances shall be identified in the minutes)

There were no formal late items added to the agenda. However two letters had been circulated to Members from the legal representatives of West Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police (Woods Whur Solicitors) and a letter responding to this from the premise licence holder’s representative (Kuits Solicitors).

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.

There were no declarations made.

To consider the report by the Head of Licensing and Registration setting out details of an application for the Review of the Premises Licence held by Fire 50a Call Lane Leeds LS1 6DT. The application is made by West Yorkshire Police.

The Sub Committee was asked to depart from normal procedure for a review of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, Regulation 9, which allowed  for the dispensation of the review.

This was brought about by West Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police withdrawing their application for the Review, which had been adjourned from 18^th July 2012, following agreement of three new conditions to the Premises Licence as follows:

1. The premises will not trade under the name or style of “Fire”. “Fruit Cupboard” or “Puro”;
2. Save for True Reason Limited holding the Premises Licence (without operating the premises) neither the current DPS nor any previous person engaged in the managerial role at the premises employed by True Reason Limited will be involved in any way whatsoever with the future running of the of the business; and
3. Prior to the premises re-opening a review of the CCTV system will be undertaken in consultation with British Transport Police and West Yorkshire Police.

It was confirmed at the meeting that the new operator of the club was in full agreement of the conditions put forward by the Police.

The Sub Committee were informed that the new operator was experienced and already managed established venues in Leeds, which have not previously caused problems for the Police.

At this point in the meeting Members questioned the new operator. Members established that the operator was intending to run a completely different style  venue to what had previously been, it would not be a night club but a 1920’s themed cocktail bar aimed at students and young professionals. Members also asked the operator about the pricing structure and door policy, it was  established that this would be similar to other venues managed by the operator.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the review be dispensed with; and

(b)  That the licence held for the premises be retained subject to the conditions listed below:

1. That the premises will not trade under the name or style of “Fire”. “Fruit Cupboard” or “Puro”;
2. Save for True Reason Limited holding the Premises Licence (without operating the premises) neither the current DPS nor any previous person engaged in the managerial role at the premises employed by True Reason Limited will be involved in any way whatsoever with the future running of the of the business; and
3. Prior to the premises re-opening a review of the CCTV system will be undertaken in consultation with British Transport Police and West Yorkshire Police.