Agenda item

To receive a presentation from representatives of West Yorkshire Police on issues relating to policing and the night time economy

Please note that  Appendix A of the report is regarded as exempt under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3)

The Chief Officer, Democratic & Central Services, submitted a report by way of introduction to a presentation from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) on issues relating to policing and the night time economy. WYP had submitted statistical information on the performance of some of the licensed premises within the city centre. This was contained at Appendix A of the report and was designated as exempt.

The Committee welcomed Sergeant R Fullilove, Leeds District Licensing Officer, Chief Inspector S Palmer, and Mr T Gorbet of Luminar Leisure. Sgt Fullilove recalled a previous presentation on the operation of the Matrix system used by WYP to monitor premises in the city centre when the Committee had requested that a city centre operator be invited to report on their experience of managing a city centre premises, liaison with WYP and the Matrix system.

Mr T Gorbet, Regional Director of Luminar Leisure addressed the meeting and provided Members with an outline of the licensed history of the Leeds Oceana premises and the incidents which had seen that premises feature at the top of the WYP Matrix system. Mr Gorbet detailed the management measures now implemented at the premises which had successfully addressed the problems which included:

-  The introduction of a self imposed Operating Plan and closer liaison with WYP

-  The introduction of incident mapping (when/where and why incidents occurred) and employment of an incident manager

-  Replacement of the Door Team and more effective deployment of doorstaff throughout the premises using the information gleaned through incident mapping

-  The search ratio of patrons had increased to 1:6.

-  Amendment to the dispersal policy to stagger closing times throughout the premises which benefited from a 2,500 capacity spread throughout 7 rooms on 3 floors.

Further discussions also highlighted the changes made to the drinks charging policy and the management and promotion of the Under 18’s night. Mr Gorbet stated he regarded the measures as being a common sense approach to managing a large capacity venue, and had not incurred great cost. He also noted that footfall had actually increased and that the number of accrued Matrix points had now reduced from 130 to 36, whilst retaining the same DPS and same hours of operation

The Committee commended the management team on their effort to tackle the problems at the premises, to work with WYP and reduce the points on the Matrix. Members felt the Matrix system had had an obvious and positive impact on the running of the venue. It was agreed that a meeting between Mr Gorbet and officers should take place where the matters raised could be used to create a case study for future reference with practical suggestions for other premises which may experience similar difficulties.

The Committee, noting the remainder of the presentation would deal with issues raised in Appendix A of the report

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the comments made during the open discussions and to thank Mr Gorbet for his presentation, and

b)  To enter into closed session to discuss the contents of appendix A