To receive apolgies for absence

4.1       Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Roy Aldcroft, Jeff Anderson and Kevin Pardy.

To approve the minutes of previous meetings as a true record.  The minutes of the meeting held on the 13 March and 9 May are attached for confirmation

5.1       RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Strategic Licencing Committee held on 13 March 2024 and 9 May 2024 be agreed 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  Friday 7 June 2024

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 interests declared

Report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

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

8.2       The Transactional Management and Licensing – Team Manager advised the meeting that a request had been received from the Hackney Carriage Trade to review the fare card and that Officers had revised the fare card to take into account the proposed changes and carried out a period of informal consultation, following which 1 response had been received in support of the proposed changes.

8.3       The Transactional Management and Licensing – Team Manager informed members that legislation required a period of formal consultation, and it was proposed that this would take place from1 July to 4 August, she went on to say that if no representations were received the proposed Hackney Carriage Table of Fares at Appendix D will come into effect on the 2 September 2024, but that if representations were received and not withdrawn a further report would be drafted for consideration at the Strategic Licensing Committee meeting due to be held on 9 October 2024.

8.4       A Member commented that she often got complaints about the costs of taxis and also that there was a lack of taxis operating in the evening in her area.  The Transactional Management and Licensing – Team Manager reminded the meeting that the fare card set out the maximum fare that could be charged and that the passenger could negotiate a lower fee with the proprietor.  She added that unfortunately the hours that operators worked were outside the remit of the Council.

8.5       RESOLVED:

That the Strategic Licensing Committee note the contents of the report and the legal requirement to consult on this process

Report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

9.1       Members received the report of the Transactional Management and Licensing – Team Manager which gave details of the licences issued and the variations that have been made between 1 February 2024 and the 10 May 2024 and a summary of applications considered by the Committee.

9.2      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.

9.3       In response to a query the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager that the number of Hackney Carriage Licence Holders remained fairly static.

9.4       A Member commented that some people were put off applying for a Hackney Carriage Licence because of the amount of paperwork involved. The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager stated that the process was driven by legislation which required things such as DBS checks which added to the paperwork.  She added that the Council had a duty to ensure that people were “fit and proper people” to hold a licence.

9.5       RESOLVED:

`           That members note the position as set out in the report

To note that the next scheduled meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee will be held on Wednesday 9 October 2024 at 10.00am

10.1    Members noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee would be held on Wednesday 9 October 2024 at 10.00am