Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Photay and Councillor Malcolm

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2016 be approved as a correct record.

The Head of Governance advised that following dismissal of an appeal by an applicant to the Magistrates’ Court against refusal of a premises licence, officers inspected the appellant’s premises on a daily and then on a reducing basis to ensure they were cleared of all alcohol.

Councillor Claymore proposed a vote of thanks to the Chair for his effective and dedicated role as Chair of both on the committee and licensing sub-committee during the previous municipal year. Members joined Councillor Claymore in thanking the Chair for his contribution to the work of the Licensing and its Sub- Committee.

(To approve the proposed Health & Safety Statutory Plan for 2015/16)

Approval of the Health & Safety Statutory Plan 2016/17 was deferred for consideration to the next Licensing Committee meeting.

The Head of Governance introduced Mr Ian Millership to Committee. Mr Millership of CtStraffic Services had been commissioned by the Council to provide an independent detailed analysis of the current demand for Hackney Carriage Services across the city and also of the existing fleet’s ability to meet demand. Mr Millership, by way of a power point presentation to the Committee expanded on his findings as set out in his document “Hackney Carriage Demand Survey” and attached at Appendix A to the report. The Head of Governance then presented a report which sought approval to a range of recommendations arising from the findings of the survey as detailed in section 3 of the report. A discussion ensued regarding the proposed pilot arrangements for vehicle testing requirements as detailed in Section 4 of the report, and also in respect of the use of magnetic door stickers and whether or not these should be prohibited through the application of vehicle conditions; the outcome of a recent consultation with the trade through the working groups and also recent emails from the private hire drivers association. It was agreed that all of the above proposals be implemented with immediate effect. However, the Committee noted that the Head of Governance’s statement that the prohibition of magnetic door stickers may take up to twelve months to fully implement.

Resolved:

a)    That the findings of the Hackney Carriage Demand Survey attached at Appendix A to the report be noted.

b)    That the proposal set out in section 3 of the report that  new Hackney Carriage vehicle licences will only be granted to new type approved vehicles be approved.

c)     That the proposal set out in section 3 of the report that a further Hackney Carriage Demand Survey be commissioned in three years time be approved.

d)    That the proposal set out in section 3 of the report for CCTV cameras be purchased to assist with the enforcement of Hackney Ranks be approved.

e)    That the proposal set out in section 3 of the report that officers work with the Council’s Communications team to improve information to the public and visitors to the city centre in locations where Hackney Carriage services are available be approved.

f)      That the proposal set out in section 3 of the report that officers establish a Taxi Users Forum be approved.

g)    That the proposals set out in section 4 of the report for vehicle testing requirements and age limits be approved.

h)    That the proposals set out in section 5 of the report relating to revisions to the Private Hire Driver, Vehicle and Operator conditions be approved.

i)       That the use of magnetic door stickers in respect of private hire vehicles be prohibited through vehicle conditions be approved.

(To approve the proposals set out at in section 2 of the report)

The Head of Governance presented a report, which sought approval of a proposed new decision making process and to proposed delegations in relation to category 3 decision making powers to the Director for Governance.

                Resolved:

a)    That the proposals in section 2 of the report relating to category 2 decisions be approved.

b)    That the proposals in section 2 of the report relating to category 3 decisions be approved.

c)     That the delegation of category 3 decision making powers to the Director of Governance be approved.

d)    That the schedule of proposed delegations from the Director of Governance attached at Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

e)    That the schedule of employee decisions for 2015/16 attached at Appendix 2 to the report in relation to the Licencing Authority as the Responsible Authority be noted.

f)      That the schedule of employee decisions for 2015/16 attached at Appendix 3 of the report in relation to new hackney carriage and private hire reviews be noted.

g)    That the schedule of employee decisions for 2015/16 attached at Appendix 4 of the report in relation to hackney carriage and private hire reviews be noted.

h)    That the schedule of decisions for 2015/16 attached at Appendix 5 of the report in relation to Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court appeals be noted.