Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room, Ground Floor, Civic Centre

Contact: Donna Cope, Democratic Services Officer  Tel: 01902 554452 Email:  donna.cope@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

 

Apologies were received from Councillor Daniel Warren.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

3.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Minutes:

 

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 12 July 2017 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair

4.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

 

There were no matters arising.

5.

Licensing Sub-Committee - 26 July 2017 - Minutes pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Minutes:

 

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 26 July 2017 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

 

6.

Terms of Reference Public Events, Safety Advisory Group pdf icon PDF 61 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Rob Edge, Section Leader, Licensing, presented a report seeking endorsement of the proposed Public Events Safety Advisory Group Terms of Reference.

 

The Section Leader explained the purpose of the Public Events Safety Advisory Group (PESAG) and in response to questions from the Committee he stated the following:

 

  • Due to the diverse nature of events considered by the PESAG, all events are done so on their own merit.
  • The PESAG ensure that for each event, adequate security, staff, signage and any other requirements are in place to avoid unnecessary disruption.

 

Resolved:

That the proposed Public Events Safety Advisory Group Terms of Reference be endorsed and approved.

 

7.

Child Seats and Assistance Dogs in Licensed Vehicles pdf icon PDF 283 KB

Minutes:

 

Nigel Todd, Senior Driver Training Instructor for Worcestershire County Council,gave a presentation regarding Child Seats and Assistance Dogs in Licensed Vehicles.

 

The Training Instructor provided the following responses to issues raised by the Committee:

  • Child safety booster seats remain legal to use but are no longer available to purchase.
  • If a child safety seat is not available in a licensed taxi or licensed private hire vehicle, the child may travel unrestrained in the rear. This is only for children under 3 years.
  • The passenger may provide their own safety seat in the vehicle.
  • Implementing car seat legislation for licensed vehicles is difficult as the driver is liable and can’t always assess the age / weight of the child.
  • Licensed vehicle drivers must (unless they have a medical exemption) carry the assistance dog, allow it to remain with their owner and ensure it is suitably restrained. Medical exception refers to allergies and the driver must have a medical certificate from a doctor as evidence.

 

The Training Instructor confirmed that all exemptions discussed within the presentation apply to licensed vehicles only.

 

Committee Members discussed the current legislation regarding child safety seats. They believed it did not protect children travelling in licensed vehicles and a suggestion was made that such vehicles should have adjustable seatbelts.

 

Resolved:     

That the presentation and issues raised be noted.

 

8.

Consultation Exercise on proposed amendments to Driver, Vehicle, Operator conditions pdf icon PDF 66 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Chris Howell, Licensing Manager, presented a report seeking support for consultation with the private hire trade group on the proposed draft changes to conditions for private hire Operator, Drivers and Vehicles.

 

The Licensing Manager provided the following responses to issues raised by the Committee:

 

  • The new conditions would apply from the time a new licence is granted or renewed.
  • There have been many changes with the recent onset of technology within the private hire trade. This together with the intricacy of cross border hiring necessitates the proposed draft changes

 

Resolved:

  1. That Licensing Officers undertake a consultation exercise with the trade groups.
  2. That the Licensing Manager submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee detailing the consultation responses and a final draft of private hire conditions, with a recommendation, for consideration.

 

9.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

To pass the following resolution:

 

That in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business, as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

10.

Targeted campaign to improve the presentation of Hackney Carriage Vehicles in the City

Minutes:

 

The Licensing Manager, presented a report seeking authorisation for Licensing Officers to commence a campaign to improve the standards of Hackney Carriage vehicles in the City.

 

He explained that the campaign focussed on improving the presentation of the vehicle only and that Licensing Compliance Officers will perform the vehicle inspections. 

 

The Committee supported the proposals but advised the Licensing Manager to be tactful and sensitive when addressing the trade.

 

Resolved:

That the proposals detailed within the report be authorised and that Licensing Officers commence a campaign to improve the standards of Hackney Carriage vehicles in the City.