Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor David Clarkson referred to Minute 4 and wished it to be noted that he had suggested costing based on yards and miles, not metres and kilometres. Confirmation had been received from officers that prices should be based on miles and yards, the legal unit of measure for road distance in UK.

The Licensing Officer confirmed that the adjustment had taken place with proposals included which kept the agreed rates however calibrated in yards which made it easier to calculate for fee setting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as an accurate record.

No declarations of interest were received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 1 September 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 6 October 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 26 January 2023 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 16 March 2023 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 13 April 2023 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 14 June 2023 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 27 July 2023 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 10 October 2023 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee held on 28 November 2023 be received.

Ian Cullen, Licensing Officer presented a verbal report to the Licensing Committee to inform Members of the work of the Licensing Department. During consideration of the update, the following points were noted:

• The bid for Safer Streets funding at the end of 2023 had been successful. The impacts of Scampton featured heavily which included a bid for street wardens out in the night-time economy, extra funding for CCTV and two anti-social behavioural officers. The bid included provision for one licensing officer of which had been recruited to prior to Christmas.
• Safer Streets funding considered both the current and potential issues. From a licensing perspective, there was a risk of the exploitation of illegal immigrant workers and alcohol consumption.
• The department was recruiting for an administration post further to a recent promotion.
• Referred to Licensing Act 2003 and recent cases that the department had worked on.
• Historically, Trading Standards had tackled issues in regard to illegal cigarettes and non-duty paid alcohol however the emerging trend was vapes.
• Trading standards had more frequently issued Closure Orders. If illegal cigarettes/vapes were discovered on a premises, a stepped approach would be implemented however it would be progressed to a closure order if necessary.
• If the premises were in possession of an alcohol license, the Court had a duty to notify the Council that a premises had been closed and once notified, a licensing review was triggered.
• The risk of illegal working was a concern in regard to Scampton. Many individuals would not have the right to work and therefore would be at risk of exploitation.
• The Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Sub-Committee had agreed to the immediate revocation of a number of licenses further to failure to meet the criteria of a fit and proper person.
• In serious cases, under the Road Traffic Act and on the grounds of Public Safety concerns, the department retained the power to revoke or suspend a license immediately.
• If a driver appealed an immediate revocation decision, the driver would be prohibited from driving until the case were heard.
• Taxi guidance had recently been updated and released by the Department of Transport. It was previously updated in 2010. There were no significant changes to the guidance. It would be taken into account with Taxi standards when the policy was next reviewed. The guidance was vague on modern technology for example UBER. The legislation was very outdated.
• A five-year policy review in regard to Licensing Act 2003 was due this year. The policy would be checked that it was fit for purpose. Plans included the creation of a working group of Members that considered any changes, prior to approval from the Committee and progression to Council.

The Chair thanked Ian Cullen for an informative update and offered praise for the work of the wider department. The Licensing Officer welcomed comments and questions from Members of the Committee.

Question: If a Premises Licence holder reapplied for a license, would the Sub-Committee be informed of the history of a given case?  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.