Agenda and minutes

Prior to the start of the meeting the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee addressed all parties, explaining that the third member of the Sub-Committee had sent apologies due to feeling unwell.

It was noted that efforts had been made to seek a third member however at short notice a third member could not be found. The meeting could only proceed if all parties agreed.

All parties were in agreement that the meeting should proceed.  

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

RESOLVED – That Cllr Linda Richards be elected 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 late items.

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 the submitted report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory which advises the Licensing Sub Committee Members of an application for the certification of numerous films in respect of the Leeds International Film Festival. All screenings are scheduled to take place between 3rd November 2021 and 18th November 2021, at Vue Cinema in the Light, Everyman Cinema, Howard Assembly Room, Cottage Road Cinema, Belgrave Music Hall and the New School of Arts Cinema at Leeds Beckett University.

The Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory submitted a report advising Members of the Licensing Sub Committee of an application for the certification of numerous films in respect of the Leeds International Film Festival.

All screenings are due to take place between 3^rd November 2021 and 18^th November 2021, at Vue Cinema in the Light, Everyman Cinema, Howard Assembly Rooms, Cottage Road Cinema, Belgrave Music Hall and the New School of Arts Cinema at Leeds Beckett University. 

The application was for a total of 134 films requesting certification. These were appended to the submitted report at Appendix B, listed by title with a synopsis and the applicant’s recommended rating for each film.

It was acknowledged that where films were unavailable for Members to view them these should be certified as an 18 rating. This was subject to a written declaration from the applicant confirming that each film did not contain any content which would more likely than not render the film liable to be classified as R18 if considered in accordance with the BBFC Classification Guidelines. A copy of the declaration was attached to the report at Appendix C.

Members were provided with details of three viewable films requesting an age rating other than 18, these were:

·  Absolute Denial which was recommended as 15

·  Fortune Favours Lady Nikuko which was recommended as U

·  Valentina which was recommended as 15

The Chair suggested that each of the three films should be considered separately.

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Chris Fell – LCC Leeds Film Manager

·  Alexander King – LCC Film Programme Manager

·  Martin Grund – LCC Film Development Manager

Absolute Denial

Members were advised that this film was an animated feature about a genius computer programmer who creates a super-computer but becomes concerned that the computer could wipe out mankind. Members were informed that the film did contain strong language.

Members were of the view that the themes contained in the film would be difficult for younger people to understand due to the complexity of the content. Based on the BBFC classification the members were of the view that the film was rated to the right age group.

Fortune Favours Lady Nikuko

Members were informed that this film was recommended as a U rating to be shown to family audiences at the Saturday Matinee. The Japanese story shows the bond between a young girl and a person who she believes to be her mother. However, as the story unfolds it becomes clear that the person is not the girl’s mother. The end of the film shows that all works well for the two main characters.

Members had concerns that the narrative and the themes in this film were not appropriate for a young audience and that children of about 5 years would not be able to understand the film. They were of the view that a PG rating would better explain the complexities of the film to parents considering taking younger children to watch it.

Valentina

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