Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Resolved: That Councillor Rose be elected to act as 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, 8 September, and 29 September 2025.

Resolved: That approval of the minutes from the Licensing Hearings held on held on 26 June, 28 August, 8 September, and 29 September 2025 would be deferred to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.

Hearing reconvened in private session at 15:30 hours on 13 November 2025.

PRESENT: Councillors Rose (Chair), Hook, and Nicholls.

The Sub-Committee resolved to grant and exclude licensable activities and to modify conditions as applied for (Option 3), as follows:

‘Pride Event’ is defined as the Saturday closest to the Pride Parade held in York City Centre.

Additional conditions:

1.     The premises will operate as an LGBTQI+ community events venue and bar.

Events include but are not limited to: dance and live performance, social gatherings, film showings, exercise classes, support groups, arts and craft groups and markets.

2.     The sale of alcohol shall cease 30 minutes before close of business on any given day to allow for ‘drinking up’ time.

3.     When the venue is open and operating for licensable activities a min of 2 SIA registered door staff shall be provided at the premises from 19:00 hours to the close of business at the following times:

·       Fridays and Saturdays or any Sunday leading into a bank holiday Monday.

·       Any days where race meetings are held at York Racecourse (save for the  ...  view the full decision text for item 45.

Members considered an application by Little Jay Ltd. for a Determination of Application for Premises Licence in respect of Little J, Chapel House, North Street, York, YO1 6JD. In considering the application and the representations made, the Sub-Committee concluded that the following licensing objectives were relevant to the Hearing:

1.    Prevention of Crime and Disorder.

2.    Public Safety.

3.    Prevention of Public Nuisance.

4.    Protection of Children from Harm.

In coming to their 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 objectives, including:

1.    The application form.

2.    The papers before it including the written representations received from local residents, and the additional information provided by the Applicant, and North Yorkshire Police and Public Protection as Responsible Authorities, as seen in the agenda supplements.

3.    The Report of the Director of Environment & Regulatory Services, and the Head of Public Protection’s comments at the Hearing.

The Head of Public Protection outlined the report and annexes noting that the maximum capacity of the premises was 120, dedicating a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ Community.

The Head of Public Protection confirmed that the premises was located within the Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and directed members to the representations made at Annexes 4, 5, 6, and 8, the additional information provided by the Applicant and Responsible Authorities as seen within the agenda. He then advised the Sub-Committee of the options open to them in determining the application.

4.    The Applicant’s representation at the hearing.

Leo Charalambides, Barrister acting on behalf of the Applicant, outlined their case.

He stated that high passions had been engaged throughout the application process and that the nominated Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Graham Dykes, understood strongly about activism and discrimination, and North Yorkshire Police understood regulation and law and order.

Mr. Charalambides discussed Cumulative Impact Area regulations which set out key aims of encouraging greater community involvement and listening to residents’ views on licensing decisions; he also highlighted City of York Council’s (CYC) policies regarding of having a safe city centre which is welcoming for all and the lack of a safe space for the Queer Community in York. Mr. Charalambides suggested that it was rude to impose that Queer people in York must leave Queer safe venues by 11pm, earlier than other venues.

In respect of the conditions proposed by North Yorkshire Police within their representation, Mr. Charalambides confirmed that the Applicant disagreed to condition numbers: 3, 4, and 5, but were in agreement with the remaining conditions suggested. It was proposed that the Applicant could share with North Yorkshire Police weekly risk assessments and an event diary for both advice and for working together.

In respect of the conditions proposed by Public Protection within their representation, Mr. Charalambides confirmed that they were in agreement with most of the conditions but that there were outstanding conditions, as outlined within the representation, that they did not agree with. Mr. Charalambides suggested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.