Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED – That Councillor H Bithell be elected as 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 against the refusal of inspection of documents.

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 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.

Although there were no formal late items, the Chair did accept the inclusion of supplementary information (Additional letters of support) in respect of Agenda Item No. 6 (Minute No. 6 referred) which had been circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

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 consider a report by the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory which sets out details of an application for the grant of a premises licence for No Problem Convenience Store 41 Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3LD.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory submitted a report which sets out details of an application which sought the grant of a premises licence for “No Problem Convenience Store” 41 Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3LD.

Supplementary information in the form of additional letters of support, was agreed by all parties and circulated prior to the meeting.

In summary, the premises would be operating as a mini market and grocery store selling alcohol for consumption off the premises. The applicant had applied for the following:

Sale by retail of alcohol:

Monday -Thursday 08:00 - 21:00

Friday  08:00 - 22:00

Saturday  09:00 - 22:00

Sunday  09:00 - 21:00

Members were informed that the responsible authorities and Ward Members had been notified of this application.

The application had attracted 20 letters of support and one letter of objection, which had been signed by 3 ward councillors on behalf of local residents. The objection referred to:

·  The intention was to open every day from 0600 to 2300, which was considered to be totally unacceptable.

·  The proposed off-license was close to Armley Moor where the illegal drinkers congregate in groups causing fear and distress to Armley residents.

·  The public, particularly the elderly, don’t feel safe shopping in this area because of anti- social behaviour by the illegal street drinkers.

·  Children should not have to observe such behaviour on their journeys to and from school.

·  The negative impact on the police as they have to respond to public and councillors complaints.

·  There were already far too many off-licences in and around Town Street and the easy access to cheap alcohol works as a magnet in drawing in undesirable elements from other parts of the city.

·  The last thing Armley needs is yet another off-licence.

There were no objectors present at the meeting.

The following were in attendance:

·  David Dodson – Applicant

·  June Clarke (JMC Licensing Consultants) – Applicant’s Representative

·  Tony Clarke (JMC Licensing Consultants) – Observing

Mrs Clarke addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the applicant, providing a brief overview of the history of the premises. Members were advised that Mr

Dodson had traded at the premises for a period of nine months and had become an integral part of the community carrying out important community charity work and fostering strong relationships with the local people.

In addressing the objections raised by Local Ward Councillors, Mrs Clarke said the hours referred to in the letter of objection were incorrect, the correct hours were as listed on page 7 of the submitted report. The allegation that illegal drinkers congregate on Armley Moor was not relevant to this application, Armley Moor was some distance away from the premises and street drinking was not illegal. Mrs Clarke suggested that alcohol was not an illegal product and the selling of alcohol was in line with the rest of Europe. On the issue of anti-social behaviour Mrs Clarke said people need to take responsibility for their own actions. Referring to the negative impact on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.