Agenda and minutes

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 items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be considered.

There were no late items submitted

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 any apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: Downes, Flynn, Hyde, Ingham, S McKenna and Townsley.

In offering comment, Councillor Selby said given the large number of apologies received for today’s meeting, could officers investigate the issue of substitute arrangements for the Licensing Committee.

RESOLVED – That the City Solicitor be requested to investigate the issue of substitute arrangements for the Licensing Committee.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 9^th February 2016.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 9^th February 2016 be accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes (If any)

There were no issues raised under matters arising.

To consider a report by the Head of City Centre Management which provides an update on the development of the Leeds Business Improvement District, since its inception in early 2015.

(Report attached)

The Head of City Centre Management submitted a report which provided an update on the development of the Leeds Business Improvement District, since its inception in early 2015.

Appended to the report were the following appendices:

·  Development of the Leeds Business Improvement District

 (Appendix 1 referred)

·  The BID Business Plan (under the main theme of Leeds Experience) - (Appendix 2 referred)

John Ebo, City Centre Manager, City Development, together with Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive, Leeds Business Improvement District, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and queries.

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

·  The Evolution of BIDs

·  What is a BID?

·  Governance Arrangements

·  Business Priorities

·  Evening Economy

In providing an explanation of the BID, Mr Cooper said LeedsBID 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 there were over 200 BIDs nationally, Leeds was the third biggest.

Responding to a question as to what would happen to the BID after 5 years; Mr Cooper said the BID would be re-balloted for a renewal

Mr Cooper said the BID zone had 955 levy paying organisations contributing £2.5m per annum to achieve the vision of creating an outstanding European destination city.

Referring to the Company accounts Members queried if the accounts were available for inspection? A further query was raised about the BID Board and how often it met.

In responding Mr Cooper said all accounts were open and transparent, in terms of how often the BID Board met, he reported that the Board met on a monthly basis.

The Chair thanked Messrs Cooper and Ebo for their attendance and presentation commenting that the update on the BID was interesting and informative

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the update on progress of the BID

(ii)  To support the approach being taken by the BID and Partners in exploring the attainment of the national accreditation for the night time economy, Purple Flag

(iii)  That a briefing note on the Portland Crescent hotel development be circulated to Committee Members, for information only. 

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

(Copy attached)

Members considered the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2016.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2016 be noted.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 12^th April 2016 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 12^th April 2016 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

To consider a report of Inspector Berry (Safer Leeds) – West Yorkshire Police, which provides an update on the issues and ongoing work streams in Leeds pertinent to the sale and use of New Psychoactive substances (NPS).

(Report attached)

The Committee received a report from Inspector Nick Berry (Safer Leeds) - West Yorkshire Police, which provided an update and described the ongoing work streams in Leeds in relation to the sale and use of new psychoactive substances (NPS).

Appended to the report was a copy of the following appendix:

·  A simple(ish) guide to the Psychoactive Substances Act (Appendix A referred)

Inspector Berry presented the report and responded to Members questions and concerns.

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

·  The Psychoactive Substances Act would come into force on 6^th April 2016

·  Existing laws: Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and Human Medicines Regulations (2012) would remain, Intoxicating Substances Act (1985) would be scrapped

·  Possession of a psychoactive substance would not be an offence. Possession with intent to supply, import or export would be an offence

·  Supply and production: The main thrust of the Act was intended to act against shops and websites supplying legal highs.

·  Penalties under the Psychoactive substances Act 2016

·  Powers of stop and search

·  Premises and prohibition notices

·  Definition of psychoactive

·  Exemptions

Responding to a question about previous convictions, Inspector Berry said a number of prosecutions had taken place in December 2015. The action was brought by West Yorkshire Trading Standards. Two shops were successfully convicted each receiving substantial fines and their products being destroyed. 

Inspector Berry said the intention of the Act was aimed at the dealers/ shops and the online market.

Members welcomed the intention to prosecute shops/ dealers querying if such actions would lead to under the counter sales.

In responding Inspector Berry said sales may increase during the next few weeks but once the Psychoactive Substances Act came into force on 6^th April 2016, the likelihood was that sales would decrease and illegal sales would result in prosecution.

The Chair thanked Inspector Berry for the update and suggested it would be useful to have a further update in due course.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That a further update be brought back to a future meeting of this Committee