MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE HELD AT FOLLATON HOUSE, TOTNES ON TUESDAY 21 JUNE 2022

MEMBERS

* Cllr D Brown - Chairman

* Cllr R Rowe - Vice-Chairman

Ø Cllr J M Hodgson *    Cllr T R Holway Ø Cllr K Kemp Ø   Cllr D O’Callaghan * Cllr G Pannell *    Cllr R Foss (substitute)

Ø Cllr K Pringle Ø Cllr H Reeve Ø      Cllr P C Smerdon *       Cllr J Sweett Ø      Cllr D Thomas * Cllr B Taylor (substitute)

* Denotes attendance

Ø Denotes apology for absence

Officers in attendance and participating:

Lawyer (via MS Teams); Licensing Contractor; Licensing Officer; and Senior Case Manager – Democratic Services

L.04/22      CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman welcomed those in attendance and reminded Members that this meeting had been convened in light of the scheduled Committee meeting that had been due to take place on 20 June 2022 having been declared inquorate.

L.05/22      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting.  There were no declarations made.

L.06/22      PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE SOUTH HAMS HACKNEY CARRIAGE FARE TARIFF

The Officer provided an update to the Committee on the proposed amendment to the South Hams Hackney Carriage Fare Tariff.  The legislation allowed for a maximum period of two months for the fare to take effect and today was the last day a decision could be made on the last proposal.  At the last meeting when this report was considered it included 4 options for a maximum fare as well as subsequent proposal option 5.  Option 5 was miscalculated and the Committee decision was therefore made on the miscalculated figures.  This report set out the 4 original options and included the recalculated option 5.

The Committee was attended by a representative of Totnes Taxis Ltd, who was invited to speak by the Chairman.  Mr Routledge, one of the directors of Totnes Taxis, explained that at the last meeting the Committee voted for Option 5 which gave a 31% increase.  The difference between tariff one and two was 48% and on the new figures a 36% difference.  The rising fuel prices were highlighted and Mr Routledge suggested that drivers be allowed 10p for 10 miles or part thereof when the average fuel price rose above £1.80.  Mr Routledge also pointed out a discrepancy between Plymouth (that started tariff two at 7pm) and South Hams (that started at 11 pm).

                                    Following discussions with the representative, tariffs for 8 seater vehicles working unsocial hours was highlighted and clarification was sought on the 10 p for 10 miles.

                                      During the debate Members raised that Mr Routledge had highlighted further issues and figures and sought for officers to re-visit these figures for consideration.  The meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes to enable the officers to work through the figures.

Upon reconvening the meeting, the Committee was presented with a new alternative option 6, as outlined, with a 2 mile trip at £7.80 leading to a 30% increase and a 5 mile trip at £16.16 leading to a 33% increase.

It was then:

RESOLVED:

That the Licensing Committee APPROVED:

1. Modification to the table of maximum fares approved for consultation on 31 March 2022, as a result of the consultation responses received;

2. That unsociable hours start at 8 pm instead of 11 pm;

3. That the option chosen was option 6 as outlined above and to include the addition of an extra 10p per mile part thereof;

4. That, in the event that the current table of fares is modified, the date upon which the modifications to the maximum fares take effect shall be 21 June 2022.

(Meeting commenced at 10:00 am and concluded at 10:45 am).

___________________

                                                                                                    Chairman