Agenda and minutes

Resolved:  That Councillor Gillies be elected as Chair of the meeting.

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they may have in respect of business on the agenda.  Councillor McIlveen declared a personal interest as some of the representors were known to him.

To approve and sign the minutes of Licensing Hearings held on 4^th November 2013 and 10^th December 2013.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Licensing Hearings held on 4 November 2013 and 10 December 2013 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Members considered an application by City of York Council for a premises licence in respect of Monk Stray, Heworth, York.

Members took into consideration all of the evidence and submissions that were presented to them and determined their relevance to the issues raised and the licensing objectives. The following were taken into account:

1.      The application form, in particular the existing licence conditions and the additional steps agreed to be taken by the applicant to promote the four licensing objectives.

2.      The Licensing Officer’s report and her comments made at the Hearing.  She advised that the application was for a premises licence for Monk Stray and was for a maximum of 14 days per year.  The application for late night refreshment had now been withdrawn. The proposed licensable area was shown on maps that had been tabled at the hearing.  North Yorkshire Police had met with the applicant who had agreed to some amendments to the application and a number of extra conditions being included in the licence if granted.  Consultation had been carried out correctly. 

3.      The Applicant’s representations at the Hearing, including:

·        Details of the  consultation had taken place with the Police, Ambulance Service and residents

·        The application for late night refreshments had been withdrawn

·        The licensable area had now been amended

·        The activities would be in accordance with the City of York Council Events Protocol

·        The Council currently held  licences for similar areas in the city and the licensing of Monk Stray would bring the stray in line with these

·        If the licence were granted for 14 days a year it would eliminate the costs incurred in applying for a licence should it be decided to hold events in the future.  No such events were currently under consideration but a 14 day licence would provide a level of flexibility.

·        The stray would only be used to host family orientated events

·        Arrangements would be in place regarding traffic management and parking

·        The stewarding arrangements that would be in place

·        The action that would be taken to clear the site following the event and to put right any damage caused.

·        The measures that had been put in place regarding safety and to provide safe access to the stray

4.   The representations made in writing by 286 people, as detailed in Annex 4 of the report. The Sub-Committee considered the written representation to be relevant to the issues raised and the licensing objectives listed above.

5.   The representations made by at the hearing by Councillor Ayre, Councillor Boyce and Mr Julian Sturdy MP and by local residents.   Issues raised included:

·        Concerns regarding public safety and crowd management

·        Traffic management and parking and access for emergency vehicles

·        Nuisance for residents in the area, including noise,  litter and anti-social behaviour

·        Concerns that a 14 day licence could result in events being held regularly through the summer months

·        Concerns regarding the consultation on the application

·        Difficulties in enforcing conditions because of the open nature of the stray

In respect of the proposed licence,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.