Agenda and minutes

To seek nominations for the election for the position of Chair.

RESOLVED – That Councillor P Wray be elected Chair for the duration of the meeting.

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 and Scrutiny Support at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals.

1)  To highlight reports or appendices which:

a)  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.

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

c)  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

2)  To note that under the Licensing Procedure rules, the press and the public will be excluded from that part of the hearing where Members will deliberate on each application as it is in the public interest to allow the Members to have a full and frank debate on the matter before them.

There were no exempt items.

There were no late items.

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.

To receive and consider an application for the grant of a premises licence made by The Venue Crossgates Limited, for The Venue, First Floor, 12C-12D Austhorpe Road, Cross Gates, Leeds, LS15 8DX.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) submitted a report that advised Members of an application for the grant of a premises licence made by The Venue Crossgates Limited, for The Venue, First Floor, 12C-12D Austhorpe Road, Cross Gates, Leeds, LS15 8DX.

The Legal Adviser to the Sub Committee explained the procedures to be followed and the Senior Licensing Officer outlined the application.

In summary, the application was for:

Supply of alcohol:

Every day 11:30 - 23:00

Performance of live music:

Every day 13:00 - 22:30

Performance of recorded music:

Every day 10:00 - 23:30

Non-standard timings:

New Year’s Eve until 01:00 hours the following day

The following were in attendance:

-  Mr Chris Reading (The Venue Crossgates Ltd), Applicant

-  Mrs Claire Reading, Applicant’s representative

-  Mr Chris Sanderson, Objector, Leeds City Council’s Planning Department

-  Mr Barry Barnes, Objector, local resident

The applicant, Mr Reading, addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that he only intended to hold events three or four times per week, with only one or two per week including the sale of alcohol and a focus on providing event space for local community groups and training sessions. Mr Reading advised that he had applied for a premises licence every day of the week to provide flexibility for customers in choosing which day to hold events. In addition, Mr Reading advised that he only intended to hold 12 live music events per calendar year. Mr Reading noted that the premises would be available to hire for birthday parties and other celebratory events, but only for customers over the age of 21 with the sale of alcohol. For events involving over 45 people, Mr Reading advised that door staff would be positioned outside the front of the premises to supervise dispersal of patrons and that he would also liaise with the local taxi rank, to further reduce the risk of noise and public disorder.

The objector on behalf of Leeds City Council’s Planning Department, Mr Sanderson, addressed the Sub-Committee. Mr Sanderson noted that the planning application, in relation to the change of function of the premises from a gym to a multi-function space with a bar, had been refused on 7^th August 2020. Members were advised that the planning application had not included reference to waste management or a smoking area. Mr Sanderson also advised Members that the planning application had received an objection from Leeds City Council’s Environmental Health Team on the basis of noise pollution and disturbance to local residents, despite the independent sound report submitted by the applicant.

The objector and local resident, Mr Barnes, addressed the Sub Committee. Mr Barnes expressed some concerns with the Arcade located to the rear of the premises, particularly in relation to noise and public nuisance and felt that the premises would attract a similar clientele if the premises licence for the sale of alcohol were to be granted every day of the week. Mr Barnes advised the Sub-Committee that he did not feel assured that Mr Reading would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.