Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED – Councillor Ben Garner was elected as Chair for the hearing.

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 was no exempt information.

There were no late items.  Supplementary information had been submitted with regard to Agenda Item 6, Application for the grant of a Premises Licence for No Problem Off Licence & Convenience Store, 41 Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds.  This information had been distributed to all parties and published alongside the Agenda prior to the hearing.

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.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) that advises Members of an application made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 ("the Act") for a new premises licence in respect of No Problem Off Licence & Convenience Store, 41 Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3LD.

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory presented an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for No Problem Off Licence & Convenience Store, 41 Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3LD.

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

The application was for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 06:00 to 23:00 every day.

The application had received a representation from the Council’s Communities and Environment team as a responsible authority.  There had also been representations from the Leeds West MP and local Ward Councillors.  A further ten representations had been made from local residents with the main concerns of the potential for an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

The following were in attendance:

·  Nick Semper – Representing the applicant

·  David Dodson – Applicant

·  Peter Mudge  - Localities Improvement Manager

·  Jonathon Hindley – Advanced Health Improvement Specialist

·  John McKimmings – Anti-Social Behaviour Team Manager

·  Councillor James McKenna

The applicant’s representative addressed the Sub-Committee.  Reference was made to the following information that had been supplied following the application:

·  Information relating to crime and anti-social behaviour over the previous six months which indicated that this was at a low level in the area of the premises.

·  Statements of truth and links to video evidence which indicated the area did not suffer from problems with street drinkers.

·  A link to a video tour of the premises which demonstrated that the shop was at the top end of the market with regards to equipoment, furnishings and feel.

The applicant’s representative informed the Sub-Committee that he would address the representations during his summary.

In response to questions to the applicant’s representative, the following was discussed:

·  The applicant wished to sell alcohol to increase profits.

·  The video evidence of litter in the area demonstrated that it was not disproportionate as it would be in an area where there were street drinkers.

·  The applicant would be happy to accept a condition with regards to the maximum strength of beers, lagers and ciders to be sold.  There would also be no sale of single cans or bottles.

The Localities Improvement Manager addressed the Sub-Committee.  The following was highlighted:

·  Armley was one of only two areas in Leeds that required special assistance to make the area more safe and attractive.  This included partnership working with colleagues from Public Health, Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team and West Yorkshire Police.

·  The premises were located next to an area that had problems with street drinkers.  Another off-licence would exacerbate existing problems and anti-social behaviour would spread into the area.

·  Armley had a cumulative impact area due to the problems in the vicinity.  The premises were on the border of this area.

·  The premises fell within the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) area.  A recent review had recommended the area remains subject to the PSPO.  This was in place due to the levels of anti-social behaviour and the harmful impact on resident’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.