Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Asha Mattu and Councillor Paul Appleby.

Councillor Jonathan Crofts attended for Councillor Paul Appleby.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 March 2022 as a correct record].

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on 16 March 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 Health and Safety Statutory Plan 2022-2023].

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change presented the Health and Safety Statutory Plan 2022 – 2023 report and highlighted salient points. The report outlined that the Health and Safety Statutory Plan was a Statutory document and was required to be produced annually. The published Plan set out the priorities for the next 12 months.

The Health and Safety Statutory Plan 2022 – 2023 was commended and recognition was given to the work undertaken by officers and partners.

A concern was raised around staffing allocations outlined on page 23 of the published pack and whether these were considered adequate. Reassurances were offered that, based on confidence in the team delivering the service and previous evidence, they were considered adequate with the resources available.   

One member voted against whilst all others were in favour.

Councillor Anwen Muston moved the recommendations whilst Vice Chair, Councillor Rashpal Kaur seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved the proposed Health and Safety Statutory Plan 2022 – 2023.

[To endorse and approve the proposed decision-making process and proposed delegations].

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager presented the Review of Decision Making 2022 – 2023 report, highlighting key points. The report set out proposed decision-making processes and delegations in relation to category three decision making powers to the Director for City Housing and Environment. It also included proposed delegations from the Director of City Housing and Environment to officers within Commercial Regulation.

Councillor Greg Brackenridge moved the recommendations whilst Councillors Rita Potter and Gillian Wildman seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Endorse and approve the proposals in section 2 of this report relating to category 2 decisions.
2. Endorse and approve the proposals in section 2 of this report relating to category 3 decisions.
3. Delegate category 3 decision making powers to the Director for City Housing and Environment.
4. Agree to receive further annual delegation update reports at the beginning of each municipal year.
5. Noted the schedule attached at Appendix 1 to this report which includes further proposed delegations from the Director for City Housing and Environment.
6. Noted the schedule of employee decisions for 2020 - 2021 attached at Appendix 2 to this report in relation to new hackney carriage and private hire applications.
7. Noted the schedule of employee decisions for 2020 - 2021 attached at Appendix 3 to this report in relation to hackney carriage and private hire reviews.
8. Noted the schedule of decisions for 2019 - 2021 attached at Appendix 4 to this report in relation Magistrates and Crown Court appeals.

[To consider the draft City of Wolverhampton Street Trading Policy and approve the recommendations].

Emma Caddick, Service Manager – Environmental Health, presented the City of Wolverhampton Draft Street Trading Policy report and highlighted salient points.

The report provided for consideration the draft City of Wolverhampton Street Trading Policy and sought approval to engage in consultation with existing Street Traders, members of the public and key stakeholders.

It also set out proposals for new pitch locations and the redesignation for the control and administration of the promotional pitches in the City Centre.

The Chair, Councillor Phil Page moved the recommendations whilst the Vice Chair, Councillor Rashpal Kaur seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approve for consultation the draft Street Trading policy as laid out in Appendix 1 of the report.
2. Approved the re-designation for the control and administration of the promotional pitches in the City Centre from the BID to the Markets Service.
3. Approved the proposed new pitches outlined in Appendix 3 of the report.
4. Received a report with recommendations following the full public consultation.