Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – Councillor B Gettings was elected as Chair for 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.

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda.

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 of disclosable pecuniary interest were made.

To consider the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration on an application for the grant of a premises licence, made by Mr Hui Yu Lin, forOriental Star 64 Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3NP.

The Sub Committee considered the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration on an application for the grant of a premises licence for the premises known as “Oriental Star”, 64 Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds LS12 3NP. The application was made to facilitate the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises Wednesday to Monday 17:00 until 23:00 hours.

At the start of the hearing, the Licensing Officer reported a correction to the report and confirmed that the premises did not lie within a Cumulative Impact Area, however it was within an area covered by a Designated Public Places Order – which aimed to prevent street drinking. Additionally, following discussions between West Yorkshire Police and the applicant which clarified the nature of the business as a take-away, it was proposed to delete the condition restricting access to the premises by under-18’s as this was not practicable.

The application had not attracted representations from the Responsible Authorities, however local residents, ward Councillors and the Leeds West MP had submitted representations: 10 letters objecting to the proposals and 2 in support.

One local resident attended the hearing; and the Sub Committee resolved to proceed in the absence of the other local residents, local ward Councillor and MP and take their written representations into account.

The applicant, Mr Hui Yu Lin attended the hearing and was represented by Mr Alan Man. Mr Laxton, a local resident also attended along with Mr Baron from a local media outlet.

Mr Man explained that the application had been made in order for the business to provide more choice to its customers. 95% of the business was as a take-away delivery service with only 5% of business generated by patrons attending the premises. Mr Man suggested that, because of this, the availability of alcohol would not impact on local residents.

Turning to comments made in the representations about a possible increase in anti-social behaviour, Mr Man clarified that customers would only be able to buy alcohol to accompany a meal purchased at the same time from the premises. Spirits would not be available, just beer and possibly wine. In response to a question, Mr Man explained that the take-away delivery service would also deliver alcohol if ordered by the customer.

The Sub Committee then heard from Mr Laxton, a local resident, who stated that Armley already had plenty of outlets to purchase alcohol from. He believed the grant of this licence would add to the existing problems in the area associated with alcohol; however he acknowledged that now he knew more about the business and what was proposed he couldn’t quibble with it but he did warn that people would try to buy alcohol directly from the premises without buying food.

In answer to questions, Mr Man explained the procedure which will be in place to ensure that customers who purchased alcohol were over 18 years of age – a customer who calls the premises to request a delivery will be asked if they are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.