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 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 the 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 interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory sets out an application for the grant of a premises licence made by Mr Nilesh Mistry, for Calverley News, 60 Woodhall Road, Calverley, Pudsey, LS28 5PP.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory requested the Licensing Sub-Committees consideration for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Calverley News, 60 Woodhall Road, Calverley, Pudsey, LS28 5PP.

In summary, the application proposes sale by retail of alcohol Monday – Friday 08:00 until 21:00, Saturday 09:00 until 21:00 and Sunday 09:00 until 13:00.

The application has attracted representations from a local ward councillor and 4 members of the public, all on the grounds of public safety and public nuisance.

In attendance at the meeting were:

o  Mr Nilesh Mistry, Applicant

o  Councillor Andrew Carter, Objector

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

It was noted that the premises operate as a general convenience store that currently hold a Premises Licence for off sales only and the applicant’s intention is to continue operating as a convenience store, but with the additional facility to provide alcohol sales to be consumed in an outdoor seating area.

Mr Nilesh addressed the Sub-Committee. Mr Nilesh explained that the premises has been running on reduced hours during the pandemic, 8 am until 7 pm and there are currently no plans for that to change. It was confirmed that the general running of the shop will remain the same and will continue to offer services for all age groups.

Mr Nilesh informed the Sub-Committee that the mobile catering units adjacent to the premises provided services during the pandemic to the local community, and the application will enable customers to wait and have a drink whilst their food is being prepared. Mr Nilesh confirmed that alcohol being consumed would not be early hours in the morning and will primarily be when the mobile units are operating outside of the premises.

Mr Nilesh explained that views collected from neighbours have been positive and it was confirmed that outdoor seating is foldable to easily put away inside the premises on an evening. The applicant confirmed there were plans to separate the licensable area and the pavement to disassociate passing residents. It was confirmed that there is currently a bench outside, as well as table and chairs for families to use whilst eating their ice-creams and coffees and there have been no anti-social behaviour related issues.

In response to questions from Sub-Committee Members, the following information had been confirmed:

·  Alcohol can currently be bought inside of the shop, and then consumed off the premises;

·  There is a draft machine inside of the premises that is located in the far corner of the premises and the current licence only allows for beverages to be sold with a closed top. The licence sought for would allow pints to be sold in open top cups;

·  The premises is family orientated and the general running of the shop would not change. Confectionary is sold on one side of the counter, with alcohol being sold on the other side;

·  The use of the draft machine is intended to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.