Agenda and minutes

IN ATTENDANCE –

Chief Superintendent M Milsom – West Yorkshire Police

Mr K Lawrance – Development Manager, Leeds Community Safety

Mrs G Hunter – LCC Community Safety Officer (West)

Inspector R Cawkwell – West Yorkshire Police

Mrs B Yearwood – LCC Area Community Safety Officer (North East)

Sergeant S Goodwill – West Yorkshire Police

Inspector C Jones – West Yorkshire Police

Councillor J Lewis – Kippax & Methley Ward

1  To highlight reports or appendices which 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.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  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

The Committee considered the request of Chief Superintendent Milsom that his verbal submission in support of the report at agenda item 7 be heard in closed session. Members noted he stated his intention to discuss matters which in the opinion of the police should not be divulged in open session.

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of that part of the agenda now designated 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 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(7) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information as disclosure could prejudice any activities to be taken in the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of interest

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Armitage, Castle, Hyde, Morgan and Selby.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 4^th August 2009.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 4^th August 2009 be agreed as a correct record

Minute 19 Leeds Festival -  It was noted that an update on the Multi Agency De-Briefing following the Leeds Festival 2009 would be presented to the next Committee

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) setting out proposals for a Designated Public Places Order to be made to cover the Town Street and surrounding area within Farsley.

(Report attached)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report setting out proposals for a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) to be made to cover the Town Street and surrounding area in Farsley (detailed in Appendix 3 of the report). The report outlined the background to the proposals and the consultation process undertaken so far.

Mrs G Hunter attended the meeting to present the proposals and explained this DPPO was intended to address incidents of anti social behaviour and alcohol related incidents which had affected the area during the last 4 years. She stated that since the anti smoking legislation had come into force, this along with sales of cheaper alcohol, had exacerbated problems in the Town Street and Farfield Estate areas.

(Councillor Hollingsworth joined the meeting at this point)

Inspector Cawkwell attended to explain the evidence presented in the report from West Yorkshire Police and stated this DPPO would provide the police with additional powers to deal with incidents of disorder related to alcohol consumption. The report included schedules and maps detailing the type and locations of anti social behaviour in the area. The Committee heard that Inspector Cawkwell had liaised with local licensees and that they were in favour of the DPPO.

Members discussed the impact of the smoking ban on those public houses without the benefit of a beer garden or an area to designate for smokers and were concerned that a DPPO would impact on patrons who had to stand on the street outside a premises to smoke. The Committee was advised that a DPPO would not apply to the curtilage of a licensed premises.

RESOLVED –

a)  That approval be given for a Designated Public Places Order to be made in respect of the Farsley area as detailed in the map attached at Appendix 3 of the submitted report

b)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods be authorised to advertise the making of the Order, to procure the required signage and carry out any further steps necessary to bring the Order into force

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) setting out proposals for a Designated Public Places Order to be made to cover the centre of Kippax; Allerton Bywater and Great Preston.

(Report attached)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report setting out proposals for a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) to be made to cover Kippax, Allerton Bywater and Great Preston. A map showing the proposed boundary was attached at appendix 3 of the report. The report also outlined the background to the proposals and the findings of the public consultation process.

Mrs B Yearwood presented the proposals and explained the request for this DPPO arose out of a recorded increase in the number of alcohol related violent assault within Kippax and Allerton Bywater during the last 2 years. Proposals for the DPPO had been discussed at and supported by the local Area Committee and extra policing specifically to address who was out in the area and what they were doing between the hours of 9.00 pm and 2.00 am had resulted in 104 persons being stopped.

Inspector C Jones of West Yorkshire Police addressed the Committee stating his belief that due to rising youth unemployment the groups of young people purchasing cheap alcohol from supermarkets to consume in parks now included 17 to 19 year olds, as well 15/16 year olds. There had been a 30% increase in violent crimes recorded in the locality including a series of violent assaults on Kippax High Street. culminating in on incident when drinkers from the pubs on Kippax High The Garforth and Kippax Pubwatch schemes had merged recently and this had proved an effective tool to address those previously banned from pubs in Garforth who had simply gone to Kippax to drink there instead. Insp. Jones explained Great Preston was included within the proposal for two reasons. Firstly to address the antisocial behaviour and disorder which occurred in the locality after events held at the public house, and secondly, WYP believed that if Great Preston was not included, those prevented from drinking in Kippax and Allerton Bywater by the DPPO would congregate in Great Preston.

RESOLVED –

a)  That approval be given for a Designated Public Places Order to be made in respect of Kippax, Allerton Bywater and Great Preston as detailed in the map attached at Appendix 3 of the submitted report

b)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods be authorised to advertise the making of the Order, to procure the required signage and carry out any further steps necessary to bring the Order into force

RESOLVED – That the meeting now continue in closed session

To consider a short introductory report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) in support of a presentation by West Yorkshire Police on current issues relating to policing policy; licensing related crime; and the management of the night time economy within Leeds City Centre

(Report attached)

The Committee received a presentation from Chief Superintendent M Milsom on various matters relating to licensing issues and crime and disorder in Leeds City Centre.

Discussions related to:

·  Methods of communication between WYP and the Committee

·  The city centre Cumulative Impact Policy and DPPO

·  Incidents of serious crime and serious disorder which had occurred recently in the city centre

·  Recent operations undertaken by WYP in the city centre

·  Role of the Licensing Committee and the role of WYP in terms of the Licensing Act 2003

Members welcomed the opportunity to have full and frank discussions with Chief Superintendent Milsom and thanked him for his attendance at the meeting. The Committee was keen to ensure that good communication links were established between the police and the Committee and invited Chief Superintendent Milsom to attend a further meeting with all 15 Members. It was agreed that that meeting should include a representative of Safer Leeds

RESOLVED – To thank Chief Superintendent Milsom for his attendance and to note the information offered during discussions at the meeting

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to re-open the meeting to the public at this point

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) advising the Committee of the Best Bar None scheme currently delivered by Leeds Community Safety as part of the Leeds Pubwatch scheme

(Report attached)

Further to minute 20 of the meeting held 4^th August 2009 the Committee received a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) advising them of the Best Bar None scheme supported by Safer Leeds as part of the Pubwatch scheme.

Mr K Lawrance, of Leeds Community Safety attended the meeting to provide detailed information on the background, nature and scope of the scheme and the accreditation offered to premises which took part. The scheme aimed to improve the standard and quality of licensed premises and in doing so, to reduce crime and disorder associated with licensed premises.

Mr Lawrance explained that BIIAB trained assessors visited premises to assess them against criteria which would include quality of management; policies; training and service and they would liaise with premises throughout the accreditation process. Accreditation lasted for one year and if a premise “failed” any aspect they would receive advice on how to achieve success. If during the 12 months, serious failings were found at the premises, the accreditation could be removed. The Pubwatch Management Committee for the area would be responsible for that decision.

The initiative was supported by the Home Office and generally welcomed by licensees. The scheme currently focussed on city centre premises but would expand in the future to encompass the suburbs.

The Committee discussed the following issues with Mr Lawrance and Chief Superintendent Milsom:

• Membership of the scheme was voluntary, each premises paid a £30 fee; and could not be enforced. Similarly membership of the scheme could not be imposed as a condition on a Licence
• During the first half of 2009, there had been problems in the city centre with alcohol related anti social behaviour and crime levels. However the alcohol related violent crime figures had actually reduced to below the figures for 2008. This was due to policing strategies and premises employing their own strategies
• The majority of premises were responsible, and in the last few months had provided early indications to the licensing authority of unsuitable promotions being offered (such as 2-4-1 or for Freshers Week).
• The remaining 5% were often the subject of licensing enforcement meeting discussions. The comment was made that the Licensing Act 2003 was flawed because a local Licensing Authority could not instigate a Review

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and the discussions be noted and Mr Lawrance be thanked for his informative presentation to the Committee

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 1^st December 2009 at 10.00 am

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 1^st December 2009 at 10.00 am