Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration which provides an overview of the partnership working and improvements within the city centre evening and night time economy in support of the licensing objectives and Purple Flag accreditation.

(Report attached)

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report which provided an overview of the partnership working arrangements and improvements within the city centre evening and night time economy in support of the licensing objectives and Purple Flag accreditation.

The Chair welcomed representatives of the Purple Flag Partnership which included: West Yorkshire Police, Leeds BID, Business Against Crime in Leeds (BACIL) West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), LCC Public Health, LCC City Centre Management, LCC Entertainment Licensing and LCC Taxi & Private Hire Licensing.

Addressing the report the Section Head, Entertainment Licensing reminded Members that in January 2017 the City was awarded Purple Flag status for the management of the evening and night-time economy.  Purple Flag is a town and city centre award which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 17:00 & 05:00.

It was reported that Purple Flag was assessed annually.  The accreditation addresses key themes: Wellbeing, Movement, Appeal, Policy Envelope and Place. Sub groups had been established to lead on each theme, enabling the progress of actions by October 2017 in line with the renewal date.

Partnership representatives addressed the Committee providing an update on the following issues:

·  Police Resourcing in the City Centre

·  Counter Terrorism threat

·  Crime statistics

·  Funding obtained for a Street Ambassador Service

·  The intention to create a team of trainers to deliver Safeguarding Training in all aspect of evening and night-time entertainment

·  Alcohol and drug campaigns

·  The continued marketing and promotion of the city centre

·  Movement – arrival and departure of people into/ out of the city centre, looking at public transport, car parking provision, pedestrian routes, crowd management and the level of information available to users.

One Member queried if rough sleepers/ begging was a particular issue.

In responding it was suggested that many rough sleepers/beggars led chaotic lifestyles (alcohol/ drug issues). It was noted that currently 12 individuals were on criminal behaviour orders.

One Member expressed the view that to exclude beggars/ rough sleepers out of the city centre would not solve the problem, alternative solutions had to be found.

The Chair referred to the large number of people employed as part of the evening and night time economy and queried how these people travelled to and from work; car, bus or train and were these services reliable in the late evening.

In responding Officers from LCC City Centre Management and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority suggested that many employees would use public transport including park & ride but accepted bus and rail providers would not operate a full night service unless there was demand for such a service.

On Member suggested that the smaller bus operators be approached to deliver a night time service.

Commenting on the issue of service reliability Members were made aware of the “Bus 18 initiative” which was launched on 24^th March 2017.

Operated by First West Yorkshire, Arriva Yorkshire and Transdev, under the Bus 18 Customer Promise, members of the public unhappy with their journey could claim a free travel voucher.

In addition, if the last bus did not arrive within 20 minutes of the scheduled time, the cost of a taxi may be reclaimed upon production of a receipt.

Members welcomed the initiative suggesting it had not been widely publicised and asked if further details could be supplied to the Committee.

The representative from WYCA gave an undertaking that the requested information would be supplied.

Members made reference to a number of areas in the city centre where streets had been closed off to allow bars/ restaurants/cafés to extend their outside space.

Officers from City Centre Management confirmed that Merrion Street (East) and Greek Street had been closed to vehicular traffic to allow new entertainment areas to be developed which had been welcomed by visitors to the city centre and was seen as a positive development by the Business Community.

It was reported that in providing such facilities measures had been introduced to minimise risk to the public.

Members welcomed the safeguarding training and the alcohol and drug campaigns suggesting it would lead to good partnership working if all parties were willing to engage.

One Member referred to Shisha smoking particular in the Lincoln Green, Roseville Road areas and asked if the situation could be monitored.

In responding officers confirmed that whilst shisha smoking was not a licensable activity, officers would continue to work in association with partner agencies.

The Chair thanked all representatives for their attendance and contributions commenting that it had been a very worthwhile discussion.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note and welcome the partnership working arrangements within city centre evening and night time economy in support of the licensing objectives and Purple Flag accreditation.

(ii)  That details of the “Bus 18 Customer Promise” be circulated to Members for information