To receive apolgies for absence

4.1       Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Garry Burchett and Vivienne Parry.

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 16 March 2022 and 12 May 2022 as a true record

5.1       RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meetings of the meeting of the Strategic Licencing Committee held on 16 March 0222 and 12 May 2022 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5.00pm on Thursday 16 June 2022

6.1       There were no public questions

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

7.1       There were no declarations of interest made

Report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

8.1       Members received the report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager which set out the proposal for a revision of the Hackney Carriage Fare Card and the formal consultation to be undertaken.

8.2       The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager advised the meeting that the report had been brought to committee following a formal request from the Hackney Carriage Trade for a formal review of the fare card.  Following an informal consultation with other members of the trade the policy had been revised and Committee were being asked to approve that a formal consultation be undertaken on the proposals.

8.3       In response to a question the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager confirmed that a request to change the fare card could be made at any time.

8.4       RESOLVED:

That the Strategic Licensing Committee agree for formal consultation to be undertaken on the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing policy for no less than 10 weeks to commence from June 2022

Report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

9.1       Members received the report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager which set out the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2023 to 2027 (the Policy) upon which the Council proposed to consult and highlighted those matters that had led to the most significant proposed changes.

9.2       The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager advised the meeting that the current policy expired at the end of March 2023 and that the opportunity had been taken to update the policy to reflect the council’s priorities and outcomes and to embed ongoing improvements in licensing practices and procedures. She added that an informal consultation had been carried out in order that any changes required by the trade could be included where appropriate.

9.3       In response to a question the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager advised the meeting that it was possible to enforce CCTV in taxis but that currently no need had been evidenced to do this.  She added that individual taxi owners were able to install CCTV should they so wish and that there were a number of operators who had taken this up.

9.4       In response to a question the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager confirmed that pre pandemic regular meetings were held with the trade but that this had not been possible.  She added that it was hoped that a meeting could be arranged during the consultation period in order to gain their views on the proposals.

9.5       RESOLVED:

That the Strategic Licensing Committee agree for formal consultation to be undertaken on the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for no less than 10 weeks to commence from June 2022

Report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

10.1    Members received the report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager which set out the proposed Street Trading Policy 2023 to 2028 (the Policy) upon which the Council proposed to consult and highlighted those matters that had led to the most significant proposed changes

10.2    The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager advised the meeting that the current policy expired on 31 March 2023 and that several comments had been received from town and parish councils prior to the pandemic who were having difficulties where events they wished to organise conflicted with the policy.  She added that an informal consultation had been carried out to guide the proposals.

10.3    In response to a question the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager confirmed that towns where there was a market charter fell outside the policy.

10.4    RESOLVED:

That the Strategic Licensing Committee agree for formal consultation to be undertaken on the proposed Street Trading Policy for no less than 8 weeks to commence from June 2022.

Report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

11.1    Members received the report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager which gave details of the licences issued and the variations that have been made under delegated powers between 1 March 2022 and the 31 May 2022 and a summary of applications considered by the Committee.

11.2    The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager reminded Members that the report was brought to each meeting of the committee and that it updated them on the number and types of licences that had been issued since the last meeting

11.3    RESOLVED:

That Members note the position as set out in the report

To note that the next meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee will be held on 5 October 2022 at 10.00am

12.1    Members noted that the next meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee would be held on 5 October 2022 at 10.00am