Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That Councillor Armitage be elected Chair of the meeting

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 Sub Committee felt that the hearing should be held in the public domain and agreed that wherever possible, specific reference to the contents of the exempt information contained within Appendix B of the report should not be referred to, however if it became necessary, the public and press would be excluded from the meeting  as follows:

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of that part of the agenda designated as 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 public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as contained in Appendix B of the report referred to in minute 25 both in terms of Regulation 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearing Regulations 2005) and the Licensing Procedure Rules, and on the grounds that it is not in the public interest to disclose the contents as the information therein pertains to an individual and that person would not reasonably expect their personal information or discussions thereon to be in the public domain.

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)

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda, however additional information had been supplied after the agenda despatch for the hearing by two objectors in support of their written submissions contained within the report. These had been made available prior to the haring to all parties.

Members are reminded to declare any interests at the start of the hearing on each application for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of conduct.

There were no declarations of interest

To consider a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration of an application made under section 2 and schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (the Act) for the grant of a sex establishment licence to premises known as `Wildcats’ 153/155 The Headrow,

Leeds 1, to be used as a sexual entertainment venue.

(Report attached)

The Licensing Sub Committee considered the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on an application made under Section 2 (Schedule 3) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 for the grant of a sex establishment licence. The application is made by Harjen Limited c/o of Henton and Co. LLP, St. Andrews House, St. Andrews Street, Leeds LS3 1LF for the premises known as `Wildcats’, 153/155 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 5RB. The basement, ground and first floors are to be covered under the provisions of the licence with proposed hours of operation are 00:00 until 00:59 (24hours) seven days per week.

Appendix B of the report was exempt from publication under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (1, 2 & 3), and Regulation 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearing Regulations 2005) however the Sub Committee resolved not to specifically discuss the exempt information to allow the hearing to be held in public.

The application attracted a total of 34 objections, 4 of which were from elected members plus one received from a member of parliament. A further objection was received from Councillor Rebecca Charlwood which had been counter signed by 19 elected members, 8 members of parliament, 1 member of the European Parliament, and 4 leaders of religious groups. 4 letters of support were also submitted. Not all of the objectors attended the hearing and the Sub Committee resolved to consider their written submissions in their absence and proceed with the hearing.

Present at the hearing were

The Sub Committee heard from Mr Whur on behalf of the applicant who addressed the licensed history of the premises and the experience of the management team, noting that another Wildcats venue was established in Harrogate. Mr Whur addressed the following points:

• the capacity and layout of the venue over 3 floors
• the fact that the venue benefited from planning permission for use as a lap dancing club
• the Policies submitted with the application and commented in particular on the security measures deployed including the CCTV system which was monitored by the receptionist, SIA registered door staff and supervision. He noted that the Harrogate venue had installed panic buttons, but that this had not been suggested for Leeds
• a smoking area specifically for use by the dancers was available
• the external appearance of the venue. Mr Whur reported the applicant had undertaken to remove the logo currently employed, if the Sub Committee required this
• Mr Etchells then addressed the information contained within his written submission on behalf of the applicant.

In discussions with the Sub Committee, Mr Whur and the applicant confirmed the following

• The venue was not open during daytime hours
• Promotion staff were encouraged to de-litter any flyers left in the areas they covered – such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.