Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – Councillor B Selby was elected Chair 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.

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.

The agenda contained no exempt information.

One formal late item of business was added to the agenda - a Temporary Event Notice for Safari Afrique - for an event proposed for 1^st April 2017 which required urgent consideration by the Licensing Authority (minute 7 refers).

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.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.

To receive the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration to advise Members of a Temporary Event Notice served under section 100 of the Licensing Act 2003 (“The Act”) in respect of Premier Banqueting Suite, Stoney Rock Lane, Burmantofts, Leeds, LS9 7TZ

(Report attached)

This application was withdrawn prior to the hearing.

To consider the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration on an application received for a Temporary Event Notice served by Mr Merlin Halliday for Safari Afrique, 32 - 34 Assembly Street, Leeds for an event proposed for Saturday 1st April 03:30 until 05:30 hours with a maximum 250 person capacity. The Licensing Authority has received an objection notice from West Yorkshire Police in respect of the TEN.

The Sub Committee considered a Temporary Event Notice for Safari Afrique, 32-34 Assembly Street, Leeds LS2 7DE, which was added to the agenda for the meeting as the event was proposed for 1^st April 2017. As West Yorkshire Police had served an objection notice on the grounds of crime and disorder and public nuisance, the TEN required urgent consideration by the Licensing Authority.

Mr Merlin Halliday, the DPS and Head of Security at the premises attended the Hearing. He was later joined by Mr Alex Vuruku, a Director of the company. PC Cath Arkle represented West Yorkshire Police (WYP).

Mr Halliday outlined his experience of working at the venue and stated that he had previously held a number of temporary events there without complaints or incident. He reported that his main point of contact regarding incidents/issues was with Sgt M Jackson of British Transport Police (BTP) as BTP had jurisdiction over the venue which was based in railway arches. Mr Halliday described recurring issues with groups of youths who congregated adjacent to the venue which he and local traffic wardens had attempted to deal with throughout the day and night.

Mr Halliday explained the TEN was needed to provide an additional two hours for an event planned for 1^st April 2017 when a troupe of dancers from Italy would perform as well as the usual DJ set. The venue usually opened on Fridays and Saturdays until 03:30 hours; this TEN would allow them to stay open until 05:30 hours.

Mr Halliday responded to comments made in the objection notice and stated that he was not aware of all of the incidents referred to and could only deal with matters that were brought to his attention. In respect of the incident on 12 November 2016, Mr Halliday stated that he did remember it. He had been on the door at the time and was present when the police searched an individual who had been in the venue. He stated that the police did not recover a knife or any white powder from that person. However, the police chased another individual who had not been inside the venue and maybe the items were recovered then. In relation to noise complaints, he said that none had been brought to his attention.

During discussions about the nature of incidents, Mr Halliday confirmed that SIA registered doorstaff were employed at the venue, however currently there were no female doorstaff so a full search of female patrons could not be conducted; only bag searches.

PC Arkle then provided a history of crime and disorder and concerns regarding noise associated with the premises. PC Arkle acknowledged that there had been issues regarding communication between WYP and BTP, as the respective computer systems did not easily allow information sharing, however she assured Members that she had discussed this venue and this TEN with Sgt. Jackson. PC Arkle stated that the concerns about the premises were so serious that she was considering the grounds for a Review  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.