Agenda and minutes

Councillor Clarke was elected as Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Clarke apologised for his late arrival.

Members were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or other interest they may have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Shelton declared an “other” interest in the business on the agenda as he was a Director at the Phoenix and the council’s representative at the Phoenix. Councillor Shelton also declared that he knew the applicant Alexzandra Jackson but these interests would not affect his decision on the application.

Councillor Clarke declared an “other” interest in the business on the agenda as he was the former Education Director at the Phoenix.

The Director of Local Services and Enforcement submits a report which requires Members to determine an application for a request to show a film to the public that has not been classified by the British Board of Film Classification.

The request has been made by Sarah Warren via Alexzandra Jackson at Phoenix Square in relation to a film titled “MLE”. The film will be shown at the Phoenix Square in late April 2015.

Report attached. A copy of the associated documentation is attached for Members only. Further copies are available on the Council’s website at www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Democratic Support on 0116 4546358.

The Director, Local Services and Enforcement submitted a report which required Members to determine a request to show a film that had not been classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The film titled MLE would be shown at the Phoenix in late April.

Alexzandra Jackson the applicant was present at the meeting. The Licensing Team Manager and the Solicitor to the Sub-Committee were also present at the meeting.

The Licensing Team Manager outlined the details of the report and answered Members’ questions. A supporting letter from Sarah Warren the Director and Co-Producer of the film was appended to the report together with a synopsis of the film. Members had viewed the film prior to the meeting.

Alexzandra Jackson the applicant stated she agreed with the officer recommendation in the report for the approval of the film to be screened to viewers aged 15 years and over.

Alexzandra Jackson the applicant was then given the opportunity to sum up her position and make any final comments.

The Sub-Committee received legal advice from the Solicitor to the Sub-Committee.

In reaching their decision, Members felt they should deliberate in private on the basis that this was in the public interest, and as such outweighed the public interest of their deliberation taking place with the parties represented present.

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee, the Licensing Team Manager and Alexzandra Jackson the applicant then withdrew from the meeting.

The Sub-Committee gave the application full and detailed consideration. Members called back the Solicitor who gave advice on the wording of their decision.

The Licensing Team Manager and Alexzandra Jackson the applicant then returned to the meeting.

The Chair advised that the Solicitor to the Sub-Committee was called back to the meeting to advise Members on the wording of their decision.

RESOLVED:

That the request to show the film ‘MLE’ that has not been classified by the British Board of Film Classification be granted and screened with a 15 classification.

In reaching their decision the hearing panel welcomed the work the Phoenix was doing to promote the exhibition of a film that might not otherwise be seen in the city. The hearing panel felt that the presentation made to them was clear and gave a strong rationale for the film to be screened over 7 days throughout the last week of April.

The hearing panel therefore concurred with the recommendation of the licensing officer and the representative from Phoenix and granted approval with the condition that the film only be screened to those aged 15 and above. This took into account the need to protect children from harm.

None.

The meeting closed at 6.30pm