Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced and welcomed Councillor Christine Knight as a new Member to the Licensing 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 the refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no late items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the nature of the business to be considered.

Although there were no formal late items, the Chair accept the inclusion of a revised report to one of the existing items (Item No.9). Members were informed that the title of the report author on the original report was incorrect and as a consequence had implications for the Officer Delegation Scheme. Members accepted the inclusion of the revised report (Minute No.26 referred) 

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.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests made at the meeting.

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received for Councillor B Gettings.

To consider and approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 25^th May 2018.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25^th May 2018, were accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

(i)  Licensing Procedure Rules, the Code of Practice for Determining Licensing Matters and Prescribed Licensing Training (Minute No.10 referred) – Members were informed that a minor correction was required to the Code removing the words “Area Committees” and substituting with “Community Committees”

RESOLVED – That with the inclusion of the above, the Licensing Procedure Rules, the Code of Practice for Determining Licensing Matters and Prescribed Training be approved

(ii)  Clean Air Zone – Update (Minutes No.11 referred) – Members queried if there had been any further developments in respect of the proposals for the Clean Air Zone.

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration reported that no further developments had taken place since the Committee last met and any significant issues which had implications for the taxi and private hire trade would be reported as they emerged.

(iii)  Licensing Committee Work Programme – (Minute No.15 (ii) referred) – Members queried if there had been any progress in confirming arrangements for Members to join Police Officers on a night time patrol of the City Centre

It was reported that officers were currently liaising with West Yorkshire Police to establish a number of potential dates

To consider a report by the Chief Officer Public Health which informs and seeks the support of the Licensing Committee in the development and proposed use of an Alcohol Licensing Data Matrix within the licensing process.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer Public Health submitted a report which sought the support of the Licensing Committee in the development and proposed use of an Alcohol Licensing Data Matrix within the licensing process.

Addressing the report the Advanced Health Improvement Specialist, Adults & Health, reported that Public Health had access to numerous key data sources which were not easily accessible by other Responsible Authorities, which could be used to inform the licensing process to help to identify potentially harmful applications and provide the evidence base to support associated decisions.

Members were informed that in Leeds with the support of Entertainment Licensing, Public Health had developed a local version of a data matrix which was able to “risk rate Lower Super Output Areas” (LSOA) across Leeds, based on potential alcohol related harm.  Any Leeds postcode could be entered into the matrix, which would then provide a comparative citywide “harm ranking” which had the potential to strengthen the evidence base behind decisions.

Members queried if the data matrix was able to identify alcohol related hospital admissions from a particular area or even premises.

In responding officers confirmed that the data matrix could identify alcohol related hospital admissions from a particular area but it was not possible to identify individual premises.

Members queried if data on alcohol related hospital admissions was available for hospitals outside the Leeds boundary.

Members were informed that the data only included Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust hospitals. 

Members queried if the matrix could identify areas of concerns in the south of the city.

In responding officers reported that there were no cumulative impact policy (CIP) areas in the south of the city but the matrix could provide information which could be potentially included in a representation.

In summing up the Chair suggested Members appeared to be supportive of the development and proposed use of the alcohol licensing data matrix.

RESOLVED - To note the availability of the Alcohol Licensing Data Matrix which may be referred to by Responsible Authorities as part of their representations to licensing applications and for policy development such as special area policies and cumulative impact areas

To consider a report by the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration which requests Members consideration to the draft Statement of Licensing Policy, the Cumulative Impact Assessment, a summary of changes and the ECDI Impact Assessment.

(Report attached)

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report which sought the Committee’s consideration to the draft Statement of Licensing Policy, the Cumulative Impact Assessment, a summary of changes and the ECDI Impact Assessment.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents:

·  Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2023 (Including proposed changes)

·  Public Consultation – Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy

·  Equality, Diversity, Cohesion and Integration (EDCI) screening form

Addressing the report the Principal Licensing Officer reported that Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 required licensing authorities to prepare and publish a statement of licensing policy every three years.  The council’s first Statement of Licensing Policy was adopted by Council on 12^th January 2005 and had            been reviewed every three years since then.  In April 2012 the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act changed the length of the lifetime of a policy from three to five years. 

Members may recall in January 2018 the Licensing Committee established a working group of five Members from this Committee to work with officers to review the Statement of Licensing Policy prior to public consultation in July to September of this year.  The working group looked at the cumulative impact and all six cumulative impact areas specified within it, as well as local licensing guidance and other more general matters.

The Principal Licensing Officer delivered a summary of each of the cumulative impact areas, including the crime statistics for the past year as well as the complaints statistics together with the Working Group’s recommendations.

Referring to the Headingley - City Centre corridor, Members queried if consideration had been given to the late night movement of students along this corridor and potential nuisance issues.

In responding the Principal Licensing Officer said in last few years student accommodation within the City Centre had increased substantially and as a consequence the student population was shifting from Headingley into the City Centre. No issues had been identified along the Headingley – City Centre corridor but the area would be kept under review.

Members noted there were no cumulative impact areas in the south of the city but recognized that some areas, Holbeck for example, had large numbers of premises licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, street drinking was also highlighted an issue.

Officers reported that the area along Dewsbury Road had been investigated and it was found there was no evidence of cumulative impact in the area. It was suggested that the Licensing Authority would continue to educate and put in place support services when considered necessary.

Referring to the Hyde Park area, one Member said he was aware of two premises licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises 24 hours a day which had the potential to cause problems.

Officers reported that a review of the premises licence could be undertaken subject to the receipt of satisfactory evidence. In respect of alcohol related nuisance, proof would be required that the alcohol was purchased from a particular premises.

Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To note the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme 2018/19.

(Report attached)

Members considered the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2018/19.

A request was made for the following reports to be included on the Committee’s Work Programme and that regular updates be provided:

·  Taxi and Private Hire Licensing  - Update of Review of fees and charges

·  Taxi and Private Hire Licensing – Update on Cross Border Working

·  Taxi and Private Hire Licensing – Update on progress for achieving a Common Licensing Policy Framework for West Yorkshire and York

RESOLVED – That with the inclusion of the above, to approve the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2018/19

To note the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 14^th August 2018 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 14^th August 2018 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.