Agenda and minutes

  Councillor Hanley was elected Chair of the meeting

  Although there were no formal late items, the Sub-Committee was in receipt of the following information, for consideration:

  Letters of support from patrons of The Slip Inn and an extract from the current  Section 182 guidance, as an earlier version had been included in error in the papers  The Sub-Committee’s Legal Adviser stated that when considering the outcome of the review hearing, Members would be using the current guidance

  There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests or other interests

To consider a report of the Head of Licensing and Regulation which sets out  details of an application for a review of a Premises Licence for The Slip Inn, Albion Street, Morley, Leeds, LS27 8DT

(Report attached)

  The Sub-Committee considered an application made by West Yorkshire Police (WYP) under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the Review of a Premises Licence in respect of The Slip Inn, Albion Street Morley LS27

  The following were present at the meeting:

  Sgt Fullilove – WYP

  Inspector Sullivan – Morley Neighbourhood Policing Team

  PC Sedgley – Morley Neighbourhood Policing Team

  Ms K Hughes – Legal representative for Star Pubs and Bars Ltd (the Premises Licence Holder)

  Mr M Pass – Area Manager for Star Pubs and Bars Ltd

  Councillor J Elliot – Ward Member

  Councillor N Dawson – Ward Member

  It was noted that before the meeting commenced, Members had viewed CCTV footage which had been submitted by WYP and which showed a series of violent incidents which had occurred at the premises on 3th November 2012

  The Licensing Officer presented the report.  Reference was made to the letters of support for the premises which had been circulated to Members.  Copies of these were viewed by the police officers present and Sgt Fullilove stated he had no issues with these documents.  The Sub-Committee then heard from WYP

  Sgt Fullilove gave a brief overview of the main incidents at the premises since the first review had been heard in Spring 2012.  These related to poor management of the premises; frequent changes of DPS; increasing severity of incidents occurring at the premises and the continued presence of the former premises licence holder, Mr Benson.  Sgt Fullilove referred to the agreements which had been reached between WYP and the premises licence holder whereby further conditions were imposed on the licence and new management was installed, yet these measures had failed to stop the crime and disorder which occurred at the premises

  Reference was made to the intention of the current tenant to vacate the business and that he had signed a legal document to that effect, with the leaving date being 5^th March 2013.  The Panel’s legal adviser stated that whilst she had seen the document it was not a formal Deed of Surrender and as it contained personal and financial details, it had not been thought appropriate to be placed in the public domain

  Inspector Sullivan then addressed the meeting and referred to the number and nature of the incidents which had occurred at the premises and informed Members that he felt there had been under-reporting of incidents by staff at the premises.  The Neighbourhood Policing Team had concerns as the reported incidents could not be attributed to strangers, but to regular drinkers at the premises and that the amount of time being spent on dealing with incidents at these premises was disproportionate to all of the other licensed premises in Morley.  The fragmented management style operating at the premises was of concern as was the current management with Members being informed WYP had serious, significant concerns about the premises.  Whilst a new DPS had been in place since 10^th December 2012 and had taken the decision to close  ...  view the full minutes text for item 131.