The Chairman gave a brief introduction and welcomed those present to the meeting. 

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nigel Hartin and Robert Tindall.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th December 2014.

Please contact Shelley Davies (01743 252719).

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 10^th December 2014, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

To receive any questions, statements or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.

The Chairman referred to a request to speak that had been received from Mr David Wilson, of A to Z Licensing.  Mr Wilson stated that as his statement related to Item 5, Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Fees and Charges 2015/16, he would speak at the start of that item.

Report of the Senior Commissioner (Public Protection) is attached, marked 6.

Contact: Frances Darling (0345 678 9026)

Consideration was given to a report of the Senior Commissioner (Public Protection) in relation to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Fees and Charges 2015/16 (copy attached to the signed minutes).

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14, the Chairman invited Mr David Wilson, A to Z Licensing to address the Committee.

Mr David Wilson addressed the Committee drawing attention to his previously submitted written objection for information and specifically questioned why, if the current fees being charged by Shropshire Council were correct and no surplus or deficit was being generated, was it necessary to increase the current fees.

The Senior Commissioner (Public Protection) responded by explaining that the proposed fees were calculated for the 2015/16 financial year based on 2015/16 projected budgets and current performance in relation to the work/time necessary to administer and issue licences and to undertake relevant compliance checks and enforcement.  As a result some fees had increased, whilst others had decreased. 

In response to a question from a Member of the Committee concerning whether additional work being undertaken in relation to safeguarding would increase the costs associated with hackney carriage and private hire licensing, the Senior Commissioner (Public Protection) stated that, there were likely to be additional costs incurred as a result of the Council’s revised Policy that was due to take effect from the beginning of April; however, it was hoped that some of these increased costs might be offset by new ways of working, for example by increasing the self-serve approach through on-line applications, thus potentially reducing the costs of the administration element of licensing in order to free up resources to concentrate and increase the work carried out on the compliance and enforcement elements.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the provisions of Section 70 (5) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Committee considered the objections received, together with associated officer comments, as set out in Appendix A, following the legally prescribed objection process that was undertaken in respect of the variations proposed to the fees in relation to driver, hackney carriage (zones 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5), private hire vehicle and operator licences and agreed, with no further modifications, to implement the variations proposed to the fees as set out in Appendix B (Parts 1 and 2) with effect from 1 April 2015, this being a date not later than 2 months after the 16 February 2015.

Report of the Senior Commissioner (Public Protection) is attached, marked 7.

Contact: Frances Darling (0345 678 9026)

Consideration was given to the report of the Senior Commissioner (Public Protection) in relation to the Licensing and Safety Sub-Committee Procedure Rules (copy attached to the signed minutes).

The Senior Commissioner (Public Protection) explained that discussions with West Mercia Police were ongoing.  The Committee congratulated officers on the report and the work that had been undertaken.  They were pleased to note that the Council’s Scrutiny Committee and Safeguarding Board had input into the process, as well as senior representatives of West Mercia Police Force.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee instructs the Head of Public Protection to take whatever steps are necessary to progress the proposed amendments, as set out in Appendix Awith any necessary modifications, to the Council’s Licensing & Safety Sub-Committee Procedure Rules detailed in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Portfolio Holder for Business Growth, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North).

Copies of the records of proceedings of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee meetings from August 2014 to February 2015 are attached for the Committee’s information.

·         8^th September 2014

·         21^st October 2014

·         12^th November 2014

·         16^th December 2014

·         2^nd February 2015  

Contact: Emily Marshall/Shelley Davies (01743 252726 or 252719)

The records of proceedings of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee meetings from August 2014 to February 2015 were received by Members (Copies attached to the signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

That the records of proceedings of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee meetings from August 2014 to February 2015 be noted.

Report of the Team Manager Operational Community Safety is attached, marked 9.

Contact Mandy Beever (0345 678 9026)

Consideration was given to the report of the Team Manager – Operational Community Safety in relation to delegated powers to issue and amend licences.  (copy attached to the signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

That the report of the Team Manager – Operational and Community Safety be noted.

To confirm that the next meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee will be held on Wednesday, 20th May 2015 in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee would be held on Wednesday, 20^th May 2015 in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall.