Agenda and minutes

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

At this point in the meeting, Members are 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 this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests they may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

Members considered an application by Bootham Crescent Holdings Ltd for a premises licence in respect of York City Football Club, Bootham Crescent, York.

In coming to their decision, 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.

2.   The Licensing Officers report and his comments made at the hearing. He advised that the application was for a Premises Licence which would include the football pitch area at Bootham Crescent. The premises currently had two premises licences in operation covering the social club and lounges. The Council’s Public Protection Officer had met with the applicant and agreed a number of conditions as attached at annex 4 to the report. 13 representations had been received from local residents. Consultations had been carried out correctly.

3.   The representations made at the hearing on behalf of the football club by the Events Consultant. He advised that the new premises licence was being sought to accommodate the York City Knights rugby team at Bootham Crescent while both teams await the completion of the new Community Stadium. He explained that alcohol licensing for football and rugby is different in that rugby supporters are not barred from taking alcohol out onto the terraces while matches are in progress, and as a result, the licensed area would need to be extended to enable York City Knight supporters to enjoy the same atmosphere as they do at Huntington Stadium. In response to concerns raised by the Representors in their letters, he amended the application to remove off-sales as there was no intention to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. In relation to the live music aspect of the application and the licensing of the pitch, it was confirmed that it was not the intention to play any music at the site past 11pm at night, and it was not intended to hold outdoor pop concerts. The incorporation of the pitch was primarily to facilitate the planned ‘End of an Era’ events that will take place when the football club vacates Bootham Crescent and this would be limited to 4 events per year including a family fun day and a dinner in a marquee. No end dates had been included in the application as it was still uncertain exactly when Bootham Crescent would be vacated. The Council’s Stadium Project team had provided a letter of support to the applicant and this was circulated at the hearing with the agreement of the Representors.

4.   The representations made by two local residents in writing and at the hearing. They were disappointed that the Football Club had not taken the time to arrange a public consultation on the application and concerned  that only a small notice had been positioned on the door of the pitchside bar which does not have a footpath in front of it and therefore not easily viewable to people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.