Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Rita Potter and Councillor Mak Singh.

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on 9 June 2021 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

There were no matters arising.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Sub-Committee held on 30 September 2021 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager, presented the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Taxi Licensing Policy to the Committee. He explained that Cenex, a low emission vehicle research and consultancy, had been commissioned by Licensing Services to undertake a service review and identify opportunities on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the taxi and private hire trade through the use of ultra-low emission vehicles.

Carl Christie, Cenex Technical Specialist, delivered a presentation on the review, outlining the main findings and proposed recommendations.

Members of the Committee supported the aims of the Policy but were concerned about the financial implications for drivers and the authority, and following a discussion on this, it was agreed that recommendation No. 2 within the report would be amended.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Formally accepted Cenex’s project report on an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Taxi Licensing Policy.
2. Agreed to consult on the Ultra-Low Emission Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Strategy.
3. Approved a consultation on an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Taxi Licensing Policy.
4. Updated the vehicle age policy, to exempt vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions from the age limit.
5. Noted the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Fleet Review.
6. Noted the Minimum Emissions Standard by Licensing Scenario.

Paul Dosanjh, Service Manager: Trading Standards & Licensing Act, presented the report seeking Committee’s approval for the implementation of a new licensing and fees policy for mobile homes sites, and to inform Members of the recent legislation change requiring a “fit and proper” person to assume legal responsibility for the day to day running of such sites.

The Service Manager responded to questions asked and it was noted that the policy would cover chalet type mobile home sites not traveller sites.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved the proposed mobile homes act fees policy, set out in Appendix 1 of the report.
2. Approved the fee structures (Appendices 2-5)
3. Delegated authority to grant applications for ‘fit and proper’ persons to Licensing and compliance officers where there were no objections.
4. Noted that a register of fit and proper persons shall be published online, and the contents would be in accordance with the Regulation

Amitabh Singh, Section Leader, Licensing, presented the report seeking Committee’s approval to remove the current requirement regarding the use of face coverings in licensed vehicles and have this as a recommendation only.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved the removal of the current requirement regarding the use of face coverings in licensed vehicles and have this as a recommendation only.

Emma Caddick, Service Manager – Environmental Health, presented the report updating Committee on The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021, which came into force on the 1 October 2021, and seeking their approval of the proposed enforcement approach as outlined in the report.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved the enforcement approach outlined in section 4.0 of the report.
2. Noted the introduction of the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 on 1 October 2021 and associated legal implications.

Glen Moseley, Service Lead – Compliance, presented the report updating 

Committee on the progress made for the Get Home Safe Campaign.

Members of the Committee welcomed the report and the Service Lead responded to questions asked.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Noted the progress of the Get Home Safe campaign.