Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED – That Councillor P Wray be 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 by an objector and the applicant and had been distributed and published 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 receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory regarding an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for Harehills Lane Grocery Store, 107 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS8 4DN

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory presented an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for Harehills Lane Grocery Store, 107 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS8 4DN.

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 08:00 to 22:00 every day.

There had not been any representations made to the application from any of the responsible authorities and the Sub-Committee was asked to consider an outstanding representation made from a member of the public.

The following were in attendance:

Mr Jean Mbongola – Applicant

Mr Robert Jordan – Representing the applicant

There was also an objector to the application who wished to remain anonymous.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Sub-Committee.  The following was highlighted:

·  There had been a detailed set of conditions offered by the applicant to and there had not been any representations from the responsible authorities.

·  The applicant had submitted detailed training policies and compliance documents.

·  The objection to the application was not clear in how it related specifically to these premises or to the licensing objectives.

·  There had not been any representations made during the consultation period.

·  It was felt the proposed hours of operation were reasonable.  The premises would close one hour earlier than other nearby premises.

·  It was felt that the objections received had been speculative and not necessarily related to this application or the licensing objectives.

·  The applicant would not be serving street drinkers or intoxicated customers.

·  It was requested that the application be granted as applied for.

An objector to the application addressed the Sub-Committee.  The following was highlighted:

·  There were other similar shops nearby.  The opening of another would increase competition and this could lead to the lowering of prices of alcohol that could impact on vulnerable and young people.

·  The premises had a large forecourt and this may encourage people to congregate.

·  There was bright illumination from the signage at the premises and this was a nuisance.

·  Street Pastors from the local Christian organisation were used to clearing up glass bottles in the area.

·  The hours proposed were too long and unnecessary and would give more opportunity and temptation to the vulnerable to purchase alcohol.

·  There had been an increase in alcohol related domestic problems which had increased due to lockdown restrictions.  There would also be problems due to the early closing imposed on public houses.

·  It was suggested that the application be delayed until the pandemic was over.

·  The objector wished the application success with their food retail and suggested that they could focus on non-alcohol drink sales.

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, the following was discussed:

·  Local residents had indicated that they would be happy to have another off licence in the area.  Alcohol would not be the main focus of sales.

·  The applicant would be happy to start alcohol sales later on a Sunday.

·  There was not currently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.