Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED – To elect Cllr N Buckley 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.

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. However, supplementary information was received and published on the Council’s website regarding Agenda Item 6 – Grant of a Premises Licence for Lounges, 22 – 24 Headingley Central, Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2UE. Minute No.6 refers.

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

Members did not declare any interests.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) an application for the grant of a premises licence made by Loungers UK Limited, for Lounge, 22-24 Headingley Central, Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2UE.

The report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) presented an application for the grant of a premises licence made by Loungers UK Limited, for Lounges, 22 - 24 Headingley Central, Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2UE.

The report notes that the premises proposes to be a restaurant/café, and the premises is also located within an area that is covered by a cumulative impact policy (CIP).

Supplementary information in the form of additional information was received from the applicant and West Yorkshire Police, this was published on the council’s website and provided to the Sub-Committee.

In summary the application is for:

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Robert Botkai, Winckworth Sherwood LLP – Applicant’s Representative
• David Matthews, Operations Director for Applicant – Loungers UK Ltd
• Robert Stirk, Entertainment Licensing – Objector
• Vanessa Holroyd, Environmental Protection Team – Objector
• Sarah Blenkhorn, West Yorkshire Police – Objector
• Councillor Tim Goodall – Objector
• Councillor I Wilson – Objector
• Martin Cook – Objector
• Michael Hurwood – Objector
• Christopher Webb, on behalf of North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association – Objector

The Legal Officer outlined the procedure for the hearing, and the Licensing Officer presented the application. The following points were highlighted:

• An overview of the proposed hours as per above.
• A summary of the supplementary information provided by the applicant in terms of upholding the licensing objectives.
• Representations have been received from West Yorkshire Police, Environmental Protection Team, the Licensing Authority and also three individual objections on behalf of Headingley & Hyde Park and Weetwood Ward Councillors as well as 99 individual objections from members of the public.
• West Yorkshire Police and Environmental Protection Team has offered conditions to be attached to the licence, but an agreement has not been reached and their representations remain a matter outstanding.
• The premises is located within the cumulative impact area for Headingley where there is a high number of licensed premises concentrated in one area.
• An overview of licensed premises in the area as provided at Appendix H of the submitted report.
• The options available to members of the Sub-Committee as outlined at paragraph 9.1 of the submitted report.

The applicant’s representative informed the Sub-Committee of the following:

• There are 242 Lounges diners, and they are family orientated with a range of food. They are not typically a well-known chain due to them having individual names specific to the local area.
• The premises will be a food-led establishment, and the busiest times are typically brunch, lunch and afternoon.
• The supplementary information contains additional conditions Responsible Authorities have requested. The applicant agrees most of them, apart from the condition regarding the sale of alcohol being ancillary to food orders. Patrons will be greeted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.