Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory on an application for the grant of a premises license for Moor Allerton Sports and Social Centre Stonegate Road, Meanwood, Leeds, LS17 6EL.

The report of the Chief Officer, Election and Regulatory presented an application for the grant of a premises license for Moor Allerton Sports and Social Centre Stonegate Road, Meanwood, Leeds, LS17 6EL.

In attendance for the hearing:

Jan Springett, acting secretary

Ann O’ Grady, Centre Manager

Doug Fern, Trustee

In attendance at the meeting were members of the public who had submitted representations to Entertainment Licensing in objection of the application.

Those who spoke in objection the application were:

Julie & Richard Mann

Doreen & Peter Moore

David Hughes

In summary, the application sought the grant of a premises license for:

Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, Dance - Everyday 09:00 – 23:30

Sale of Alcohol - Everyday 09:00 – 23:00

No non-standard timings for bank holidays or special occasions are proposed.

This was the first application for a premises licence. 

Members heard the application was before them as seven individual letters had been received from members of the public on the grounds of public nuisance.

Members, Jan Springett, Ann O’ Grady and Doug Fern were presented with an audio recording by Mr Mann who said this measured the loud frequencies of noise pollution heard from his home.

Ms Springett addressed the Sub-Committee and sought to reduce the opening hours as set in the supplementary information, which were:

Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, Dance – everyday 09:00-23:00

Sale of Alcohol – everyday 11:00-23:00

Centre opening hours – everyday 09:00-23:30

Key points highlighted:

·  The premises is a charity and has been running on site for almost 100 years.

·  The centre has a current booking rate of 100 per year of which 25 require the use of the bar; regular bridge nights are held at the club as well as hiring the facilities out for dancing, meetings and celebrations.

·  The centre is detached with ample car parking.

·  Members were informed the centre had undergone a recruitment process of which a new centre manager had been employed as well as a caretaker, who lives adjacent to the premises and is first aid trained.

·  CCTV is installed.

·  The bar stops serving at 22:45 and hirers are required to leave by 23:15 to allow them to vacate the centre by 23:30.

·  A noise limiter was installed and only on odd occasions throughout the summer, were the windows and doors open.

·  Willingness to liaise with resident and resolve complaints.

In response to questions from Members, Ms Springett confirmed that the premises is partly air conditioned in the Bridge Suite, with two fans in the main hall. She expressed that regular meetings with residents, isn’t something that had been thought of.

The Licensing-Sub Committee heard from objectors listed and in attendance at the meeting who put forward their reasons for objecting as follows:

·  The centre seemed to be the only thing nearby generating significant noise nuisance.

·  A complaint was previously raised to the Environmental Protection Team, in order to address the persistency of noise levels coming from the venue in 2005/06.

·  Teenage parties weren’t the focus of concern, but any age group generating loud noise, particularly later on in the evening; should the number of events increase.

·  Layout of the building projects sound.

·  Unaware of the measures in place should an incident arise, no point of contact provided.

·  Noise limiter hasn’t had an overall impact.

·  No reference to external drinking; patrons on an evening will congregate outside whilst smoking and drinking.

·  Car parking ramp projects light into the property’s on an evening when exiting the site.

·  Hasn’t been an attempt from the club to communicate nor build a relationship with residents in the locality.

·  Opening and closing of doors particularly in the summer months is proving an issue; a suggestion for air conditioning throughout the building.

·  No supervision of patrons leaving the venue on an evening, queried that measures are put in place for the premises to be monitored.

A member of the public reiterated the important for regular meetings between the club and residents, to live harmoniously.

In response to further questions put forward from Members, key points were raised:

·  It was confirmed there would be a slight increase of local people using the facilities, but not seeking to expand their custom.

·  Meeting with residents was something of interest, to solve future problems which may arise.

·  The caretaker is available to monitor functions and when he is unavailable, the club will seek to employ a professional security firm.

·  It wasn’t the intention for the club to become a bar with people walking in off the street, but the club noted the possibility anyone would be able to have a drink.

The Members put forward an additional five conditions to both parties, which could promote the licensing objectives in respect of public nuisance. The operator was in agreement with the suggested conditions, the members of the public would, agree to anything that may help reduce public nuisance from the centre, but they did not think it would help much.

The Sub-Committee carefully considered the application both written and oral, the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory, the written oral representations from the members of the public. The Committee also took into account Leeds City Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and relevant sections of the Licensing Act 2003.

RESOLVED- That the application be granted as applied for, with the reduced hours and subject to the addition of the following conditions:

A.  Drinks, open bottles and glasses will not be taken from the premises at any time. Empty bottles and glasses will be collected regularly and promptly. Glass and other sharp objects will be stored and disposed of safely using suitable receptacles. Receptacles will be secured and not accessible to the customers.

B.  The PLH/DPS will prominently display notices which inform customers that open bottles or glasses may not be taken off the premises.

C.  The activities of persons using the external areas will be monitored after 23:00hrs and they will be reminded to have regard to the needs of local residents and to refrain from shouting and anti-social behaviour etc when necessary.

D.  The PLH/DPS will adopt a "cooling down" period where music volume is reduced towards the closing time of the premises.

E.  The premises supervisor and any door supervisors will monitor the activity of persons leaving the premises and remind them of their public responsibilities where necessary.

Members also recommended that:

1.  The centre provide a point of contact to residents’ who’re affected by licensable activities

2.  The centre arrange regular meetings with the local residents so as to discuss and address any issues that may arise