Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the September meeting of the Licensing Committee, in particular Councillor Julie Heselwood who was attending her first meeting of the Committee.

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 refusal of inspection of documents.

That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt 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 so designated as follows:-

Policing and the Night Time Economy – The report (verbal presentation) was deemed exempt from publication in accordance with Access to Information Rule 10.4 (3) as it included information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime. In those circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. (Minute No. 52 refers)

Although there were no formal late items of business, the Committee did accept the inclusion of additional representation in respect of Hackney Carriage “Approved Vehicles “list - Inclusion of Estate Vehicles as supplementary information and this was circulated at the commencement  of the meeting (Minute No.57 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.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor B Gettings.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 2^nd August 2016.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 2^nd August 2016 were accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

There were no issues raised under matters arising.

At this point in the meeting, noting that the following item on the agenda would include consideration of exempt information, the Committee

RESOLVED – To enter into closed session

To receive a Presentation from Sergeant Dave Shaw, West Yorkshire Police on the issues of “Policing and the Night time Economy”

(Report attached)

Members received a Presentation from Sergeant Dave Shaw, West Yorkshire Police, who spoke about Policing and the night time economy.

A summary of the issues/ incidents involving licensed premises principally in City Centre was presented.

(Due to the confidential nature of the information being presented, this part of the meeting was held in closed session)

The Chair thanked Sergeant Shaw for his attendance and presentation commenting that the session had been informative and interesting.

On a final note Sergeant Shaw took the opportunity to thank Members for their support in making some robust decisions in respect of licensed premises applications at recent meetings of Licensing Sub Committee

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the presentation be noted

(ii)  That a further presentation on policing and the night time economy be scheduled for March 2017.

The meeting returned to open session

An opportunity to Join Police Officers on a night time Patrol of the City Centre (10.30pm – 4.00am, two Elected Members per patrol)

Dates available:

·  Saturday 20^th August 2016 – Councillors: B Selby &  M Harland

·  Saturday 10^th September 2016 – Councillors: N Buckley & R Downes

·  Saturday 17^th September 2016 – Two vacancies available

·  Saturday 24^th September 2016 – Councillors: S Field &  G Hussain

·  Saturday 1^st October 2016 – Two vacancies available

The Chair provided an update on the opportunity for Members of the Licensing Committee to join Police officers on a night time patrol of the City Centre (10.00pm – 4.00am). It was reported that a number of Members had already taken part in the patrols with a further 4 Members participating in September.

The Chair said further dates were available on 17^th September and 1^st October, any Member wishing to attend should contact either the Clerk or Officers in Entertainment Licensing

RESOLVED – That the update be noted

To note the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme 2016/17.

(Report attached)

Members considered the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2016/17. It was noted that in view of the decisions made earlier, the following items would be added to the Work Programme:

·  Policing and the Night Time Economy (March 2017)

RESOLVED – That with the inclusion of the above, to approve the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2016/17

To note that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday 5^th October 2016 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, 5^th October 2016 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

To consider a report by the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration which sets out the legislative background, the policy and procedures under which Hackney Carriages are approved and licensed by Officers and the trade debate around whether or not estate vehicles should be licensed as Hackney Carriages.

(Report attached)

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report which set of the legislative background, the policy and procedures under which Hackney Carriages are approved and licensed by officers and the Trade debate around whether or not Estate vehicles should be licensed as Hackney Carriages.

With the agreement of the Committee, representations from the Branch Chair, Unite Cab Sector, was accepted as supplementary information.

The Section Head, Taxi and Private Hire Licensing presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  The submission of an application by the Joint Trades Council to consider estates vehicles being placed on the “approved list” of vehicles to be licensed

·  The receipt of an objection from one part of the trade which suggested the additional length of estate vehicles effected the available rank space

·  Adding vehicles to the “approved list” was a decision that could be taken by Officers under Delegated Powers

·  Applying a blanket policy refusing to license estate vehicles would require substantial grounds and may be the subject of a legal challenge.

Members noted the objection from the Branch Chair, Unite Cab Sector

Commenting on the possible loss of rank space Members took the view that this would be probably minimal.

Referring to possible advantages Members said the inclusion of estate vehicles on the “approved list” would allow Hackney Carriage drivers to select from a wider range of vehicles and increase the service they could provide.

Members accepted that it was the majority of the Hackney Carriage Proprietors who supported the proposal to include estate vehicles on the “approved list”

RESOLVED – To support the inclusion of estate vehicles on the Hackney Carriage “approved vehicle list”

To consider a report by the Head of City Centre Management which provides an update on the development of the Purple Flag Accreditation, since March 2016.

The report refers to Key milestones which are covered in the Purple Flag Work Plan and highlighted in Appendix No. 1 of the submitted report.

(Report attached)

The Head of City Centre Management submitted a report which provided an update on the development of the Purple Flag Accreditation since March 2016.

The City Centre Manager, City Development presented the report and highlighted the following areas:

·  Background to the Purple Flag Accreditation

·  Advantages of having Purple Flag Accreditation

·  The process in detail and the core themes

·  Purple Flag Partners

·  The Work Plan/ Timeline for the assessment

In the discussion that ensued Members raised the issue of Public Transport, in particular Bus Services and asked if there were any plans to provide a better service after 6.00pm.

In responding the City Centre Manager said late night public transport was a challenge and was one of the Core Themes of the assessment. The City was already well served by taxis but a frequent late night bus service was also required. It was reported that discussions had taken place with West Yorkshire regional transport authority with the outcome that four late night bus routes would be trailed throughout the city and use of the service would be monitored.

The Chair thanked the City Centre Manager for his attendance and the update on the Purple Flag Accreditation

RESOLVED -

(i)  To note the update on the progress being made towards achieving Purple Flag for Leeds;

(ii)  To welcome the continued partnership working and engagement with Leeds BID and other stakeholders examining the issues that affect how the night time economy operates, with a view to improving the offer;

(iii)  To support the approach being taken by the City Council and the BID, as well as key partners who are determined to attain the national accreditation for Leeds.

To receive an update on the Leeds BID from Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive, Leeds Business Improvement District.

(PowerPoint Presentation)

The Committee received an update on the Leeds BID from Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive, Leeds Business Improvement District.

The Chief Executive said the BID was focused on delivering a business plan over the next 5 years that would bring increased investment and profile to the City of Leeds.

It was reported that the BID had three key aims; to raise standards, raise awareness and add value by doing more things better for the benefit of all the businesses in the BID area, including: retail, hospitality, commercial and corporate, arts and culture, leisure, and public sector  including the local authority and the NHS trust.

Recent initiatives included:

·  An Ambassador Team, the largest in the UK, welcoming up to 2000 people to the City Centre each week

·  The Street Rangers Team carrying out an enhanced cleansing service to improve the city centre’s physical welcome

Members asked if there was an intention to attract International Multi Cultural events to the City.

In responding the Chief Executive said the BID had already helped bring major projects such as the 2015 MOBO Awards to the city which was helping to enhance the city’s reputation as a great place to do business and hold key note events.

The Chair thanked Mr Cooper for his attendance and presentation commenting that the initiative was welcomed

RESOLVED – That progress on the Leeds BID be noted