Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 November 2021 as a correct record].

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on 10 November 2021 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

[To discuss any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting].

There were no matters arising.

[To approve the proposed policy and fees].

Paul Dosanjh, Service Manager: Trading Standards & Licensing Act, presented a report on Fees for Fit and Proper Person Application - Mobile Home Parks. The report outlined the Mobile Homes Fit and Proper Person Fees Policy and the proposed fees for 2022-2023 for the mobile homes fit and proper person function.

The Service Manager responded to questions.

Councillor Inston moved the recommendations. Councillor Muston seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved the adoption of the Mobile Homes Fit and Proper Person Fees Policy.
2. Approved the proposed fees for 2022-2023 for the mobile homes fit and proper person function.

[To approve the proposed schedule of fees for the year 2022-2023]

Chris Howell, Commercial Regulation Manager, presented a report outlining

the proposed fees and charges for general licensing and miscellaneous matters for 2022-2023.

The Commercial Regulation Manager highlighted a typographical error on page 15 of the report and confirmed that the recommendation of decision should state: “Approve the proposed fees and charges for General Licensing as set out in Appendices 1-3 with effect from 1 April 2022.”

The Commercial Regulation Manager stated that the fees and charges would remain the same as last year, and Members of the Committee welcomed the proposals.

Councillor Page moved the recommendations. Councillor Inston seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved the proposed fees and charges for General Licensing as set out in Appendices 1-3 with effect from 1 April 2022.

[To approve the proposed fare increase and contactless payment request].

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager, presented a report on Hackney Carriage Fare Increase and Contactless Payments. The report outlined a request by the Hackney Carriage trade for an increase in Hackney Carriage Fares and sought Committee’s approval for the setting of appropriate fares.

It was proposed that following a number of consultations with the Hackney Carriage Trade that the fares be increased, and the Licensing Manager explained the rationale behind this.

The report also outlined the proposal that all Hackney Carriages must have the facility for customers to make contactless payments, should the customer wish to do so, as recommended by Public Health to assist infection control.

It was noted that the metered mile would now take place on the 28 February 2022 due to venue availability, and the Licensing Manager responded to questions asked.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Authorised the required publishing of a notice in a local newspaper detailing the proposed fare increase and stating a consultation period during which objections regarding the increase could be made.
2. Subject to no objection following consultation, approved the proposed increases in Hackney Carriage fares.
3. Required the facility for contactless card payments within all Hackney Carriage vehicles.
4. Noted that if, at the end of the consultation period there were no objections to the proposed fare increase, implementation of the proposed increases would occur after meter recalibration at a metered mile on the 28 February 2022.
5. Noted that if, at the end of the consultation period there were objections to the proposed fare increase, a further report would be presented to the Regulatory Committee on 16 March 2022.

[To receive a verbal update on Special Treatment Licensing].

Charlotte Rose, Service Lead – Environmental Health, delivered a presentation on the regulation of cosmetic treatments.

The presentation outlined key investigations withinCommercial Regulation, and discussed the specialised work carried out by the Service Lead and partner agencies in order to ensure better regulation of cosmetic procedures.

The Service Lead outlined the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into advanced aesthetic non-surgical treatment and summarised the concluding report. She outlined the recommendations from the enquiry and discussed how the authority would continue their campaign for better regulation of cosmetic procedures.

Members of the Committee welcomed the presentation and recommended that a further letter was written to the Government on behalf of Members, requesting that the recommendations from the APPG inquiry be implemented.

Resolved:

1. That the presentation and issues raised be noted.
2. That the Chair of the Regulatory Committee would write to the Government on behalf of Members, requesting that the recommendations from the APPG inquiry be implemented.

[To note the Sports Ground Safety Audit Report].

Emma Caddick, Service Manager – Environmental Health, presented a report on Sports Ground Safety Audit of the City of Wolverhampton Councils’ Sports Ground Safety Function. The report summarised the outcome of the audit which took place on the 16 September 2021 and outlined the key findings.

The Service Manager responded to questions asked and agreed to:

1. Contact WWFC regarding a stadium visit for Members of the Regulatory Committee where they could attend a ‘during performance inspection’ (DPI).
2. Check the figures within the report regarding capacity of Molineux Stadium and provide Councillor Inston with an update.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Noted the content of the Sports Ground Safety Audit Report following the audit of the authority’s sports ground safety function, which took place on the 16 September 2021.

[To formally accept the delegated licensing functions].

Chris Howell, Commercial Regulation Manager, presented a report on the Adoption of South Staffordshire District Councils delegated licensing function. The report outlined the progress that had been made and asked the Regulatory Committee to formally accept the delegated licensing functions subject to the signing of the finalised agreement.

The report was debated by Committee, and the Commercial Regulation Manager responded to questions asked.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Agreed to accept the licensing function, as delegated, by South Staffordshire District Council subject to the signing of the finalised agreement.