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 the inspection of documents

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities

(Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England)

Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during

Consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as 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 so

designated as follows:-

A presentation by West Yorkshire Police entitled “Policing and the Night Time Economy”’ referred to at Minute No.105 was designated as exempt in accordance with paragraph 10.4(3) of Schedule 12A (3) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it contains information relating to crime and disorder which may result in future Legal Proceedings. It was therefore considered that it is not in the public interest to release this information at this time, as this would compromise the Council’s position.

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda. Members were however in receipt of a newspaper article (The Times, dated Saturday 19^th October 2013), circulated for information only.

The article in question related to the launch of “Yorkshire Trike Tours” the trike having received a novelty vehicle license from Leeds City Council in 2013.

In offering comment the Chair said this was a good news storey and thanked Officers for drawing it to the Committee’s attention

RESOLVED – That the contents of the article be noted

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.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: B Gettings, T Hanley, P Latty and C Townsley

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 14^th January 2014.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th January 2014 were accepted as a true and correct record

To receive a Presentation from Chief Inspector Stephen Palmer, Sergeant Rob Fulliloveand Sergeant David Shaw, West Yorkshire Police on the issues of “Policing and the Night time Economy”

Members received a Presentation from Sergeant Rob Fullilove and Sergeant David Shaw, West Yorkshire Police, who spoke about Policing and the night time economy.

A summary of the issues/ incidents involving licensed premises in City & South Leeds, North East Leeds and North West Leeds was presented.

(Due to the confidential nature of the information being presented, this part of the meeting was held in closed session)

The Chair thanked Sergeant’s Fullilove and Shaw for their attendance and presentation commenting that the session had been informative and interesting.

Members were made aware that it was Sergeant Fullilove’s last attendance before retiring in a few days’ time.

Members joined the Chair in wishing Sergeant Fullilove all the very best in his retirement and good luck in his for future endeavours

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the presentation noted

(ii)  That discussions take place with Leeds watch with a view to providing further CCTV coverage within the city centre

To consider a report by the Area Committee (West North West) requesting that Licensing Committee consider if a cumulative impact policy would be appropriate for Otley, in view of the increase in applications and the concern that the current status quo could be affected by just one successful application to vary a licence.

(Report attached)

Members considered a report by the Area Committee (West North West) requesting the Committee’s views as to whether a cumulative impact policy would be appropriate for Otley, in view of the increase in applications and the concern that the current status quo could be affected by just one successful application to vary a licence.

Zahid Butt, Area Community Safety Co-Ordinator, Environment & Neighbourhoods, presented the report and responded to Members questions and queries.

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

·  Otley had a vibrant nightlife with the largest number of licensed premises outside the city centre

·  Had low incidents of crime and disorder compared to other areas of the city

·  There was a noticed increase in licence applications

·  Applications to increase the hours for the sale of alcohol to a time  much later than was normal for the area

In offering comment Councillor Dunn said he was supportive of a CIP for Otley, suggesting that it was difficult to deal with objections when there was no policy in place.

Councillor Downes said there was a large number of drinking establishments in Otley and late night drinking did cause problems for some residents. There appeared to be a “general creep” to increase the hours for the sale of alcohol. It was his opinion that the residents did not want Otley to be seen as a late night destination.

Councillor Hyde suggested it would be useful to obtain data to support a cumulative impact policy, what was the view of the Police?

Councillor Selby said that strong evidence was required to address any legal challenges

Susan Holden, Principal Project Officer, Entertainment Licensing said that having a policy in place did make a statement about an area and often led to a reduction in unsuitable applications.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To accept that a cumulative impact policy may be appropriate for Otley Town centre

(ii)  That Officers undertake further work in researching the evidence and designing a cumulative impact policy that was effective in achieving the aims of the local area

(iii)  That a further report be prepared and brought back to this Committee seeking approval to release for public consultation

To consider a report by the Head of Licensing and Registration which provides an update on the equality monitoring process implemented at Taxi and Private Hire Licensing.

(Report attached)

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report which provided an update on the equality monitoring process implemented at Taxi and Private Hire Licensing.

Des Broster, Section Head, Taxi and Private Hire Licensing, presented the report and responded to Members questions and queries.

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

·  The on-going work around revocation and refusal data

·  The technical difficulties around gathering and using the information when it was provided anonymously

Referring to the gathered equality information, Councillor Selby asked if it would be possible to carry out an analysis using the post code data.

In responding Mr Broster said such an analysis was possible but it should be the subject of a separate report and not be included as part of the equality monitoring data.

Councillor Dunn asked if Taxi and Private Hire Operators played any part in assisting with the completion and return of the forms.

Mr Broster said it was unlikely, the onus was on the driver to complete the equality monitoring form.

Councillor Khan referring to employment issues around nigh time enforcement activity and a possible rota, asked if any progress had been made.

In responding Mr Broster said that a meeting with the Trade Unions would be taking place shortly.

Councillor Selby asked if future reports could contain visual graphics, pie charts for example.

Officers gave an undertaking to investigate the possibility of using visual graphics in future reports.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted 

To note the contents of the Licensing Work Programme for 2014

(Report attached)

Members considered the contents of the Licensing Work Programme for 2014.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the inclusion of any additional items of business identified at this meeting, the contents of the Licensing Work Programme be noted

To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 11^th March 2014 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 11^th March 2014 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.