Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED – To elect Cllr K Haigh as the 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 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 exempt items.

There were no formal late items, but there was supplementary information circulated to Members prior to the meeting which related to Item 6 - Application for the Grant of a Premises Licence for Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, 5 Newton Grove, Potternewton, Leeds, LS7 4HW.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

No declarations of interests were made at the meeting.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) regarding an application for the grant of a premises licence made by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Limited, for 5 Newton Grove, Potternewton, Leeds, LS7 4HW.

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory requested Members consideration of an application for the grant of a premises licence made by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Limited, for 5 Newton Grove, Potternewton, Leeds, LS7 4HW

Present at the meeting were:

• Olga Callaghan – Applicant and Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Leeds Branch
• Dora Lojik – on behalf of AUGB Leeds Branch
• Geoff Heal - Objector
• Garry Barker - Objector
• Mussa – Local Resident

The Legal Officer set out the procedure for the hearing.

The Licensing Officer presented the application providing the following details:

• The premises was a community centre where social and cultural events were held for the Ukrainian community.
• Responsible authorities had been notified of the application and the applicant had agreed to adopt measures suggested by West Yorkshire Police (WYP) prior to them making a formal representation; the agreement included a reduction to the hours proposed for licensable activities.
• The application had attracted 13 representations, 12 from members of the public and a joint objection from the three local Ward Councillors, which suggested further reductions in hours and measures, which the applicant had not agreed to.
• The application was for the sale by retail of alcohol, every day from 12:00 - 23:30, exhibition of films, performance of dance, plays, live music, recorded music and entertainment similar to live music, recorded music or dance, every day from 12:00 - 00:00.
• A copy of the application form was available at appendix A, with section M detailing steps intended to be taken to promote the four licensing objectives.
• Further details for section M, operating schedule suggested measures were available at appendix B.
• Appendix D outlined the agreements with WYP, which included measures to address crime prevention and a sound operating schedule.
• The 13 representations from the public and Ward Councillors, considered ‘other persons’ under Licensing legislation were contained at appendix E and expressed concerns in relation to all four licensing objectives.
• Three representations had been received from members of the public who had expressed concerns for risk of retribution and their personal details had been redacted and were to remain anonymous. For this reason and despite their strength of feeling they did not attend the hearing but wanted their representations to be considered in their absence.
• Additional, supplementary information had been submitted which detailed an expansion on an existing anonymous objection, a meeting held by the applicant to address objector concerns and further comment from Councillor J Dowson.

The applicant addressed the Sub-Committee providing the following information:

• The AUGB centre had been in operation since the 1950s, with the Ukrainian population, and AUGB membership, increasing in Leeds since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022.
• The premises was a hub for social and cultural heritage events, including a Saturday school, a choir and English speaking lessons. The centre was self funded and community and volunteer led, run by a committee who conducted the organising of events, cleaning and cooking.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.