Agenda and minutes

IN ATTENDANCE 

Mrs B Yearwood – LCC Area Community Safety Co-Ordinator (East Leeds)

Inspector N Adams – Gipton & Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team

Mr Z Butt – LCC Area Community Safety Co-ordinator West North West Area Management

Inspector M Jessop – City Neighbourhood Policing Team

Mr M Benn – Festival Republic

Mr G Mudhar – LCC Environmental Protection team

Mr P Jackson – LCC Health and Safety Team

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

The following Members declared personal/prejudicial interests for the purposes of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

Councillor A Castle – Item 9 The Leeds Festival Event Management Plan – declared a personal interest as a resident of Thorner, as the village benefited from the Community Fund established by the event organisers (minute 42 refers)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Armitage; Dobson; Grayshon and Rhodes-Clayton

To approve the minutes of the following meetings as a correct record

a)  6^th October 2009

b)  16^th November 2009

(Copies attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the following meetings be approved as a correct record

a)  6^th October 2009

b)  16^th November 2009

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on proposals to make a Designated Public Places Order to cover the centre of Gipton

(Draft 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 area of Gipton in East Leeds as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report. The report outlined the background to the proposals and the consultation process undertaken so far.

Mrs B Yearwood attended the meeting to present the proposals and explained this DPPO was intended to be used as another measure to address incidents of crime and disorder; anti social behaviour and alcohol related incidents which affected the area. Mrs Yearwood reported the deadline for receipt of representations to the Order of Notice should read 24^th November 2009 and not September as contained within the report.

Inspector N Adams 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 those incidents of anti social behaviour which were difficult to tackle under the current powers. He noted that Dispersal Orders were not always successful with certain groups of people.

Members noted the work undertaken in Gipton with regards to consultation with those groups who may be affected by the DPPO and the facilities and initiatives currently available to engage with younger people. The Committee heard the impact of the DPPO would be monitored in terms of success and any dispersal issues on neighbouring localities.

The report included schedules and maps detailing the type and locations of anti social behaviour in the area.

RESOLVED –

a)  That approval be given for a Designated Public Places Order to be made in respect of the Gipton 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 Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing details on the interventions used in the first 6 months following the implementation of the Woodhouse Moor DPPO on 1^st April 2009.

(Report attached)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Committee on the implementation of the Woodhouse Moor and surrounding area DPPO which was approved by the Committee in February 2009 and implemented in April 2009.

The report included information of the interventions used in the first 6 months of the Order being in place.

Mr Z Butt and Inspector M Jessop attended the meeting and provided more detail on the overall success of the DPPO. Members noted that interventions had been used on a range of persons and had not targeted any one group. Inspector Jessop confirmed the DPPO had allowed police to use interventions effectively leading to a reduction in the number of problems in the area associated with alcohol consumption. The police had established a close working relationship with St Georges Crypt and a letter of support for the DPPO was included within the report  from Mr C Fields, the Chief Executive Officer of St Georges Crypt.

The Committee welcomed the report and the success of the DPPO so far

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) providing a de-brief on the matters arising from the Leeds Festival 2009, held within the grounds of Bramham Park, August 2009.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report on the outcome and findings of the Multi-Agency meeting held on 6^th October 2009 after the Leeds Festival. The Festival had been held over August Bank Holiday weekend and the report referred to the comments made by the various agencies involved in preparations for the Festival.

The Committee welcomed Mr Benn, the event promoter; and went onto discuss the following matters in particular:

-  The success of the 2009 Traffic Management Plan and refinements proposed for 2010 relating to the pick up/drop-off points and better use of the A58 as an additional contingency

-  Proposals to address crowd dynamic issues experienced this year through additional front of house management and a slight redesign of the arena layout

-  The success of the organised bonfires which had been introduced this year to reduce the number of ad-hoc fires

-  The review of security on site and number of apprehensions and evictions undertaken by the Festival staff as a result of increased security and monitoring

The Committee noted that all agencies had been satisfied with the event this year and welcomed the efforts made by the promoter to address problems identified in previous years to provide a successful Festival.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and to extend thanks to Mr Benn for his continued co-operation with the Authority.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) updating Members on the progress of the Policing and Crime Bill which has now received Royal Assent.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report on measures within the Policing and Crime Act 2009 which will have an impact on the work of the Licensing Authority once the Act comes into force.

(Councillor Selby withdrew from the meeting at this point)

Officers highlighted the following:

·  Proposals to introduce mandatory or discretionary conditions in relation to the operation of licensed premises. Members noted no timescale for the publication of the necessary relevant regulations had been provided.

·  Proposals to include ward councillors within the definition of “interested party” in the Licensing Act 2003. This would allow local ward councillors to make representations on applications for the grant or variation of licenses/certificates; on minor variations and to instigate Reviews of Premises Licences. Members noted the Act did not make reference to vicinity and welcomed the fact that local ward Councillors would not therefore be restricted to making representations only on premises in their local vicinity.

(Councillor Selby resumed his seat in the meeting)

The Committee noted that arrangements would be made in due course for appropriate Member training on the changes once the Guidance and Regulations had been issued by Central Government

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on the next steps in the Large Casino process and the delegated responsibilities of the Committee in this process

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report providing information on the next steps in the Large Casino process and the delegated responsibilities of the Licensing Committee in that process.

Members noted that training would be offered later on in the process and briefly touched upon the balance of considerations in the selection of a preferred site

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on the “Yellow and Red Card”  initiative and whether this could be adopted by the Authority as another system to deal with problem premises

(Report attached)

The  Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report on the “Yellow and Red Card” initiative currently being promoted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as a method to deal with problem premises. The report sought Members comments on the scheme and consideration of whether to adopt the scheme for Leeds.

A copy of a letter from Mr G Sutcliffe, MP Minister for Sport setting out details of the scheme and a further communication from the DCMS were appended to the report for reference.

The Committee noted the process of interventions set out in the Yellow and Red Card scheme and the encouragement given for enforcement agencies to seek more Reviews. Members considered and balanced these measures against the current practice in Leeds of close liaison between the licensing trade and responsible authorities which could involve implementation of action plans and issuing of informal warnings prior to the review stage if necessary.

Members felt the current practice in Leeds provided a consistent and adequately firm approach to dealing with problem premises without the need of adopting the Yellow and Red Card approach

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted

(b)  Not to adopt the Yellow and Red Card scheme in Leeds at the present time

To note the date and time of the next scheduled Committee meeting as Tuesday 2^nd February 2009 at 10.00 am

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 2^nd February 2010