Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED- to elect Councillor B Gettings 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 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.

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.

Councillors Harland, Flynn and Gettings declared that they had sat on previous Licensing Sub Committees, which heard applications similar to Silks and Whiskey Down. Members said they would consider both applications with an open mind.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory on an application for the grant of a premises licence made by The Original Bowling Company Limited, for Putt Stars Units H, J And K, The Springs, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8GH.

(Report attached)

With all outstanding matters resolved, this application was removed prior to the meeting.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory for the renewal of a sex establishment licence for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lap dancing. This application is made by TRL Promotions Limited for a premises to operate under the name of Silks, 2 Sovereign Place, Leeds, LS1 4SP.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory set out an application for the renewal of a sex establishment licence for Silks, 2 Sovereign Place, Leeds, LS1 4SP.

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Elizabeth Mary Morris, Licence holder

·  Rebecca Ingram, Representing the applicant

·  Gerry Drammeh, Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

·  Miriam Moss, Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL)

·  Alison Boydell, Observing in support of the objector

The Legal Officer informed the Committee of correspondence which had been sent to Members from an anonymous person and SARSVL. Members had disregarded the information and would not be using the evidence, in the making of their decision.

The Licensing Sub Committee were advised of the following points:

·  The application was made by TRL Promotions Limited to operate under the name Silks;

·  The premises had held a licence for the provision of regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol since 13^th March 2009. It is understood that lap dancing had been held at the premises since that time;

·  Silks is one of four venues in the city centre which has a licence for sexual entertainment;

·  The hours of operation are:

o  22:00hrs until 04:00hrs Sunday to Thursday

o  22:00hrs until 05:00hrs Friday and Saturday

·  The application had attracted an objection from the organization Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds.

·  It was noted that no observations had been received from West Yorkshire Police concerning the application.

Members were made aware that the applicant had confirmed they wished to amend the application to incorporate two additional conditions as set out in the report and the correspondence agreement at Appendix F.

The additional conditions were:

·  When the licence holder employs a subcontractor, no person under the age of 18 years of age shall carry out work for or on behalf of the venue, whether paid or unpaid, which includes advertising promotional work such as flyering, etc.

·  The licence holder will carry out verification checks of all staff employed or subcontracted by the premises and will maintain a recorded log which is kept up to date of all checks made including forms of identification checked. The record log shall be produced immediately on request to call police constable or officer of the Licensing Authority.

Rebecca Ingram Informed the Members of the following:

·  The policy permitted there to be 4 sexual entertainment venues and deems this to be appropriate;

·  It was the operators belief that lap dancing clubs did not have the ability to instil fear, and welfare is a primary concern in the operation of Silks;

·  Silks has CCTV installed, including in the booths and there are panic buttons to ensure safety of dancers and customers;

·  Behaviour permitting people to feel uncomfortable would not be permitted and there are staff employed to further ensure the safety of workers and customers;

·  Silks is located within close proximity to office buildings but that these tend to be closed during the opening hours of the premises. Silks is not located near any sensitive areas and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory for the consideration of the renewal and variation of a sex establishment licence for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lap dancing. This application is made by TRL Promotions Limited for a premises to operate under the name of Whiskey Down, First & Second Floors, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory set out an application for the renewal of a sex establishment licence for Whisky Down, First & Second Floors, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA.

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Paddy Whur, representing the applicant

·  Marcus Bentley, Manager

·  Miriam Moss, Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL)

·  Alison Boydell, observing in support of the objector

The Legal Officer informed the Committee of correspondence that had been sent to Members from an anonymous person and SARSVL. Members had disregarded the information and would not be using the evidence, in the making of their decision.

The Licensing Sub Committee were advised of the following points:

·  The application was made by Tokyo Industries (Lincoln York Hull) Limited to operate under the name Whiskey Down;

·  The premises had held a licence for the provision of regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol over a number of years. On 14^th March 2017, Members approved the application for a sexual entertainment venue licence, with premises specific additional conditions;

·  The hours of operation are:

o  22:00hrs until 04:00hrs Sunday to Thursday

o  22:00hrs until 05:00hrs Friday and Saturday

·  The application had attracted an objection from the organization Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds.

·  It was noted that no observations had been received from West Yorkshire Police concerning the application.

Members were made aware that the applicant had been written to regarding the acceptance of two additional conditions as set out in the report and correspondence at Appendix F.

The additional conditions were:

·  When the licence holder employs a subcontractor, no person under the age of 18 years of age shall carry out work for or on behalf of the venue, whether paid or unpaid, which includes advertising promotional work such as flyering, etc.

·  The licence holder will carry out verification checks of all staff employed or subcontracted by the premises and will maintain a recorded log which is kept up to date of all checks made including forms of identification checked. The record log shall be produced immediately on request to call police constable or officer of the Licensing Authority.

Paddy Whur, Informed the Sub Committee of the following:

·  The original premises licence granted in 2017, received an excess of 60 objections, due to the nervousness from people in the vicinity;

·  Conversations with WYP have identified fewer anti-social behaviour related issues in the area which the operator believes is as a result of the installation of CCTV at the premises. It was reported that crime statistics had reduced in the area and there has been a positive impact;

·  The existing policy considers 4 SEVs appropriate;

·  Whiskey Down is considered the busiest attracting a female clientele and offers a variety of whiskey and gins;

·  Whiskey Down is not open during the day;

·  No changes have been made to the operation style of Whiskey Down since the grant of the licence in 2017, nor have there been any changes to the surrounding area to make the premises  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.