Agenda and minutes

To seek nominations for the election for the position of Chair.

RESOLVED – That Councillor A Hutchison be 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 and Scrutiny Support at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals.

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.

There was no exempt information.

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) regarding an application for the certification of three films to be shown at Hyde Park Picture House, 73 Brudenell Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 1JD. The films will be shown as part of Leeds International African Arts Festival 2023, Cinema Africa, screened between 11^thand 14^thJuly 2023.

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory presented an application for the certification of three films to be shown at Hyde Park Picture House as part of the Leeds International African Arts Festival 2023, Cinema Africa between 11 and 14 July 2023.

A synopsis of each of the films was outlined in an appendix to the report along with comments from the licensing officer.  Members of the Sub-Committee had viewed the films prior to the meeting.

The following certifications were proposed:

·  Air Conditioner – 12

·  Money, Freedom, A Story of CFA Franc – PG

·  This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection – 15

RESOLVED – That the following films be classified as follows:

·  Air Conditioner – 12

·  Money, Freedom, A Story of CFA Franc – PG

·  This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection – 15

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) regarding the renewal of a sex establishment licence for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lap dancing. This application is made by Tokyo Industries Ultimate Limited for a premises to operate under the name of Whiskey Down, First & Second Floors, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA.

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory requested Member’s consideration for the renewal of a sex establishment licence for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lap dancing. The application was made by Tokyo Industries Ultimate Limited for a premises to operate under the name of Whiskey Down, First and Second Floors, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA.

Marcus Bentley, General Manager of Whiskey Down was in attendance.

The Legal Officer outlined the procedure for the meeting. It was noted that there had been no objections to the application.

The Licensing Officer provided the following information:

·  A copy of the licence was appended to the submitted report at Appendix A

·  The hours of operation are:

o  22.00hrs until 04.00hrs Sunday to Thursday

o  22.00hrs until 05.00hrs Friday and Saturday

·  A copy of the redacted application was attached at Appendix B

·  Additional documents supplied with the application were appended at Appendix C and included:

o  Dancers Welfare Policy

o  Dancers Code of Conduct

o  Customers Code of Conduct

o  Pricing Policy

·  Members were also requested to consider the external appearance and all methods of advertising. Attached at Appendix D were images showing the external appearance of the premises.

·  A map showing the location of the premises was attached at Appendix E.

·  Standard Conditions as set out in the current policy were appended to the submitted report at Appendix G

Mr Bentley was invited to address the Sub-Committee.  He informed them that this was the fourth renewal  and there had not been any objections.  Tokyo Industries operated at 55 venues worldwide.  There had not been any issues relating to the operation of the premises or welfare of performers since the last renewal.  The performers were considered to be the most important part of the premises operation and there had been additional work with them to provide further support in their welfare pack.

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, the following was discussed:

·  Additions to the welfare pack included further information with regards to support, insurance and trade union representation.  This had been done following comments from the Police and the Council.  Copies of the welfare pack were available to view at the premises and also sent to performers by e-mail.

·  There had only been routine visits by the Police.  CCTV footage had been checked.  There had been no further feedback.

·  There had not been a need to report any incidents at the premises though there had been a need to eject customers on occasion.  Full accident and incident records were maintained.

Members of the Sub-Committee were pleased to hear that amendments had been made to the welfare pack.

RESOLVED – That the application for renewal be granted.