Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Resolved: That Councillor Watson be elected Chair of the hearing.

To receive and note apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

Introductions were made.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members].

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. None were declared.

To consider excluding the Press and Public during the sub-committee’s deliberations and decision-making at the end of the hearing, on the grounds that the public interest in excluding the public outweighs the public interest in that part of the meeting taking place in public, under Regulation 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

Resolved: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the sub-committee’s deliberations and decision making at the end of the hearing, on the grounds that the public interest in excluding the public outweighs the public interest in that part of the meeting taking place in public, under Regulation 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Licensing Hearings held on 26 June, 28 August, and 29 September 2025, and 13 April 2026.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Licensing Hearings held on 26 June, 28 August, 29 September 2025, and 13 April 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Hearing Reconvened in private session a 11:31 hours on 28 May 2026.

PRESENT: Councillors Watson (Chair), Cuthbertson, and Rose.

The Sub-Committee resolved to reject the whole or part of the application (Option 2), and in doing so the Sub-Committee granted the variation to layout of the plans as applied for as shown below, and granted the part of the application for live music subject to the following condition:

·      Live music from the hours of 23:00 to 2:00 every day (including an additional hour on Bank Holidays and New Year’s Eve) is permitted only within the Rooms marked 1-5 on the Premises Licence plan (as shown in the hearing agenda at Annex 1 of the report from the Director – Environment & Regulatory Services).

The licence is also subject to the mandatory conditions applicable to licensed premises.

Members considered an application by Mr Ze He for a determination of application for variation of a Premises Licence (Section 34 Licensing Act 2003) in respect of 61 Lawrence Street, York, YO10 3BU. In considering the application and the representations made, the Sub-Committee concluded that the following licensing objectives were relevant to the Hearing:

1.    The Prevention of Public Nuisance.

2.    The Prevention of Crime and Disorder.

In coming to its decision, the Sub-Committee took into consideration all the evidence and submissions that were presented, and determined their relevance to the issues raised and the above licensing objective, including:

1.    The application form.

2.    The papers before it including the written representations received from local residents.

3.    The Director of Environment & Regulatory Services’ Report and Senior Licensing Officer’s comments made at the Hearing.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the report and annexes. The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the premises was not located within the Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), consultation had been carried out correctly, there had been no representations from responsible authorities, and she directed members to the representations made by local residents at Annex 5 regarding the prevention of public nuisance and crime and disorder. She then advised the Sub-Committee of the options open to them in determining the application. The Senior Licensing Officer reported that the premises had held a licence since 2018 and that amendments had been sought to allow for karaoke.

In response to questions the Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that:

·      Live music has been requested indoors to allow for karaoke; Live music was only licensable from 23:00 hours.

·      During a routine visit it was found that work had already been undertaken to transform the premises and that the toilets had been relocated in order to create space for the karaoke booths.

·      The new application includes an increased licensable area of the premises.

·      Complaints had been received in July 2023 regarding the behaviour of customers outside the premises between 0100-0200 hours. Engagement had been undertaken with the Applicant, and no further issues had been experienced.

·      Although Members could not take into consideration parking issues, public nuisance caused from parking could be considered.

·      Although there was no volume limitation on live music, the applicant would still need to operate within the licensing objectives to not cause public nuisance, and noise patrol teams were on hand to instantly investigate concerns raised. The Public Protection team, as experts to the Sub-Committee on public nuisance had not submitted a representation against the application.

·      Restrictions could be added to the licence to ensure doors are closed upon entrance and egress.

The Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee made Members aware that any condition applied to the licence must be both evidenced based and proportionate.

Mr Ze He, the Applicant, reported that the licensable area within the application was all on the ground level, there were stairs at the premises going up to the student accommodation above, and all rooms at the premises were sound proofed.

4.    The Applicant’s representation at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.