Report of the Principal Licensing Officer

The subject of the decision:

The Director of Law and Governance submitted a report seeking approval of the revision of the Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy.  The Committee noted that a consultation exercise had been undertaken and two responses had been received.

Alternative options considered:

The Committee considered the revised Policy and, having concluded that the proposed amendments were appropriate, no alternative options were deemed necessary.

The reason for the decision:

The Committee considered the Director of Law and Governance’s report, the consultation responses and the proposed changes to the Policy.

The Committee noted that the consultation responses made suggestions which sought to further clarify the application of the Policy.  The Committee noted that, in light of the respondent’s comments, officers had made some further proposed amendments to the Policy where considered appropriate (the rationale for those amendments were outlined in Annex C to the report).  The Committee was satisfied that the officers’ additional amendments were appropriate and no further modifications were deemed necessary.

The Committee was satisfied that that the amended Policy took account of the recent legislative changes and provided additional guidance for the benefit of the public and trade.  The Committee therefore approved the revised Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy and recommended to Council that the Policy be adopted.

THE DECISION:

That the Committee approves and recommends to Council that the revised Draft Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy be adopted.

Report of the Principal Licensing Officer

The subject of the decision:

The Director of Law and Governance submitted a report seeking approval for the revision of the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.  The Committee noted that a consultation exercise had been undertaken and one response had been received.

Alternative options considered:

The Committee considered the revised Policy and, having concluded that no other amendments were appropriate, no alternative options were deemed necessary.

The reason for the decision:

The Committee considered the Director of Law and Governance’s report, the consultation response and the proposed amendments to the Policy.

The Committee considered a consultation response which proposed that the age limit for new licensed vehicles be reduced to three years (as opposed to every five years as proposed).  The Committee was satisfied that a five year age limit for newly licensed vehicles was sufficient to address the potential risk to the public and the sustainability of the existing trade.

The Committee noted that the respondent also recommended that vehicles capable of carrying five or more passengers should be permitted to remain licensed until the age of ten years (as opposed to eight years as proposed).  The Committee was not satisfied that a ten year age limit on larger vehicles (capable of carrying five passengers or more) would be appropriate to address the potential risk to the public.

The Committee was satisfied the proposed five year age limit, alongside the other proposed amendments, would be likely to improve standards and therefore approved the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and recommended to Council that the Policy be adopted.

THE DECISION:

That the Committee approves and recommends to Council that the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy be adopted.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2019 (LC.3 - LC.8), and the meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Hearings Panel held on 27 August 2019 (LAHP.5 – LAHP.7 and LAHP.8 – LAHP.9) previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 30 July 2019 (LC.3 - LC.8), and the meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Hearings Panel held on 27 August 2019 (LAHP.5 – LAHP.7 and LAHP.8 – LAHP.9) previously circulated.

Report of the Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer)

The subject of the decision:

The Director of Law and Governance submitted a report which provided information on a decision made by Senior Management to revoke a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence in order to address an immediate risk to public safety.

Alternative options considered:

The Committee was satisfied that the decision should be noted and no other alternative options were deemed necessary.

The reason for the decision:

The Committee was satisfied that the decision taken by Senior Management to revoke a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence in order to address an immediate risk to public safety was pursuant to its delegated authority and in accordance with procedure.

THE DECISION:

That the Committee noted the decision made by Senior Management to revoke a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence in order to address an immediate risk to public safety.