Agenda and draft minutes

27 June 2023

It was moved by Councillor Anthony Bates, Seconded by Councillor Neil Buttle and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 27 June 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

There were no declarations of interest.

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

There was no public participation.

This report provides a summary of the work relating specifically to the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005, undertaken by the Licensing Team during the last financial year, and the previous two financial-year periods, to allow comparisons to be made.

The Committee is provided with details of compliance and enforcement work carried out in partnership with other statutory authorities, which contributes to the Licensing Service Plan Actions.

The Licensing Manager introduced a report which provided a summary of the work relating specifically to the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005, undertaken by the Licensing Team during the last financial year, and the previous three financial-year periods, to allow comparisons to be made.

Members were also provided with details of compliance and enforcement work carried out in partnership with other statutory authorities, which contributes to the Licensing Service Plan Actions.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, seconded by Councillor Geoff Bond and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1)     That the Licensing Team continues to work, with other Responsible Authorities where possible, to carry out licensing awareness, compliance, and enforcement visits to licensed premises within the district.

2)     That the Licensing Team continues to contribute to the work of the Community Safety Partnership’s VAL (Violence, Alcohol and Licensing) Group, and support the initiatives promoted by the Institute of Licensing and the Gambling Commission.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To provide the Committee with an update on the review of the Council’s Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

The Committee are informed of some additions/changes/recommendations to the draft policy document for consideration. These were received following the consultation exercise carried out since the last meeting.

The report seeks the Committee’s approval of a final draft taxi and private hire licensing policy document for consideration for adoption at the January 2024 meeting of the full Council.

The Licensing Manager introduced a report which provided Members with an update on the review of the Council’s Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy. The report sought Committee support for the Council to be recommended to approve and adopt the final draft of the taxi and private hire licensing policy.

Following the introduction of Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2020/21, it was deemed necessary for the Policy to be reviewed in order to ensure that the Council’s approach to taxi and private hire licensing supported the national standards and contributed to a consistent country-wide approach. It was noted within the report that Members were regularly informed of the progress made throughout the review process.

The report detailed the outcomes of the consultation process undertaken, including the proposed alterations to the draft policy document. These proposed changes were highlighted within the draft policy document included at Appendix 1 to the report. Members were informed of a proposed amendment to the draft policy, to be included in Appendix C, to incorporate the requirement for an enhanced DBS check and online subscription to the DBS update service for owners/part owners of a vehicle to be licensed as a taxi or for private hire.

During the discussion of this item, Members expressed concerns regarding the shortage of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) licensed by the Authority. The discussion also considered the low number of electric/other non-combustion vehicles currently licensed. It was recommended that Officers would investigate ways in which the number of WAVs, and electric/other non-combustion licensed vehicles might be increased, by working closely with the taxi trade and other stakeholders in the service, such as representatives of vulnerable groups.

The timetable for implementation of the revised Policy was recommended to take effect from 1^st February 2024, subject to Council approval. It was also noted that the revised policy would be kept under close review during 2024 – with regard being paid to any recommendations contained in the Department of Transport’s Best Practice Guidance, as released on 17^th November 2023.

It was moved by Councillor Neil Buttle, seconded by Councillor Lucy Peacock and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Council be recommended to approve and adopt the draft Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy subject to the following amendments:

1.    That the requirement for an enhanced DBS check and online subscription to the DBS update service for owners/part owners of licensed vehicles be incorporated at Appendix C to the draft policy document.

2.    That the introduction of an option to license vehicles for a period of 6 months in exceptional circumstances be incorporated into the draft policy document.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.