Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Lynne Moran, Councillor Mak Singh and Councillor Rashpal Kaur.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 January 2022 as a correct record].

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on 19 January 2022 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 fees and charges].

Chris Howell, Commercial Regulation Manager, presented a report outlining the proposed fees and charges for Street Trading Consents for 2022-2023.

It was noted that the Street Trading Policy review had now commenced, and a further paper would be presented to the Committee in June following a full consultation. It was therefore proposed that the fees and charges would remain the same until the outcome of street trading review had been agreed by Committee.

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

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1.    Approved the proposed fees and charges for Occasional/Temporary Street Trading Consents as set out in Appendix 1 of the report with effect from 1 April 2022.

2.    Approved the proposed fees and charges for Annual Street Trading Consents as set out in Appendix 2 of the report with effect from 1 April 2022.

3.    Noted the Street Trading Policy was currently being reviewed and the fees were subject to change mid-term.

[To approve the proposed changes to Hackney Carriage fares]

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager, presented the report: Hackney Carriage Proposed Fare Increase. The report outlined the objections received to the proposed fare increase and recommended that no changes be made to the proposals as a result of the consultation.

The report was considered by Committee and the Licensing Manager responded to questions asked. One member voted against the proposed increase and all others were in favour.

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

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1.    Considered the objections to the proposed changes to Hackney Carriage fares.

2.    Approved the proposed changes to Hackney Carriage fares.

3.    Noted that implementation of the proposed increases would occur after meter recalibration at a metered mile in April 2022 at Aldersley Leisure Village.

4.    Noted that the revised table of fares would be printed for Hackney Carriage licence holders to be displayed in the vehicle for passengers.

[To approve the proposed fees and charges].

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager, presented a report outlining the proposed fees and charges for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Functions for 2022-2023.

The Licensing Manager summarised the key changes and outlined the introduction of the Offsite Private Hire Vehicle Inspections scheme.

Councillor Inston moved the recommendations. Councillor Potter seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1.    Approved the proposed fees and charges as set out in Appendix 1 with effect from 1 April 2022.

[To note the update on the mystery shopper exercise].

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

Committee on the Taxi & Private Hire protected characteristics mystery shopper exercise. The Service Lead outlined the exercises that had taken place so far and summarised the key findings.

Members of the Committee welcomed the report and commended the Service Lead on his work.

Councillor Inston moved the recommendations. Councillor Potter seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Noted the update on the mystery shopper exercise conducted to covertly assess licensed drivers’ compliance with their duties under The Equalities Act.

The Chair closed the final meeting of the Municipal Year by thanking

Members and officers for their support throughout the previous twelve months. The Committee reciprocated it’s thanks to the Chair.