Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 26 May and the Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held during the period 25 April 2016 to 5 October 2016.

L.05/16           

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 26 May 2016 and the Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held during the period 25 April 2016 to 5 October 2016 were all confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are invited to declare any personal or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of suchinterests; they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

L.06/16           

Members were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting.  These were recorded as follows:

Cllr D W May declared a personal interest in Item 9: ‘Summary of Licences Issued Between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2016’ (Minute L.11/16 below refers) by virtue of knowing the applicant for the Trehill Arms, Ivybridge licence and remained in the meeting during the debate on this item.

L.07/16           

Consideration was given to a report that informed that the Council (as the Licensing Authority) had the power to issue licences to drivers of Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles.

Since there was no legal definition of what made a driver a ‘fit and proper person’, it was therefore a matter for the Licensing Authority to determine what qualifications they required an applicant to meet in order to be licensed.  As a consequence, the report presented a policy that sought to set the minimum requirements that the Council would seek from new and existing drivers.

It was then:

L.08/16

The Committee considered a report that advised that, in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 Section 65, the Council had the power to set the fares charged within its area by Hackney Carriage (taxi) drivers.

The report noted that these fares were last revisited in 2012 and it was now considered timely to undertake a review.  This review was further prompted by drivers regularly making requests for the cost of fares to be increased.  However, the report also recognised that too large an increase could adversely impact the ability of vulnerable users to be able to afford this essential service.

In discussion, reference was made to:-

(a)    variations in the cost of fuel.  Whilst acknowledging that there were national (and regional) variations in the cost of fuel, it was noted that the proposed policy sought to apply the national average (as calculated by the AA) for the cost of fuel;

(b)  general support for the proposals.  Some Members were of the view that the proposals were reasonable and therefore stated their support for the recommendations.

It was then:

L.09/16           

Members considered a report that sought to make some minor amendments to the Council Constitution.

In introducing this item, the Senior Specialist – Environmental Health asked Members to consider a slight revision to Appendix A of the presented agenda report whereby an additional responsibility for the Committee be included as follows:-

‘To determine to revoke or suspend a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver or Private Hire Operator Licence.’

In the ensuing debate, the Committee confirmed its support for the addition and noted that the Monitoring Officer was wholly supportive of each of the suggested amendments.

It was then:

L.10/16           

The Committee considered a report that highlighted that the Council had the power to grant licences for the operation of Pleasure Boats and for Pleasure Boatmen.

In discussion, some Members expressed their surprise that it was a requirement for operators of Canoes and Stand Up Paddleboards required a licence.

It was then:

L.11/16           

Members were presented with a paper that provided them with a summary of the licences that had been issued between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2016.

The Committee welcomed the fact that all Members and town and parish councils were consulted on every application and the view was expressed that this working practice was well received.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That the summary of licences issued between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2016 be noted.

- to consider the following resolution to exclude the public and press:-

“That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in order to avoid the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”;

L.12/16           

                        RESOLVED

“That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in order to avoid the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”

L.13/16           

Consideration was given to an exempt report that informed of the suspension of a Driver Licence in a matter of urgency.

The report noted that this action had been taken in accordance with Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 1976 as amended by Section 52 Road Safety Act 2006.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.   That the facts in relation to the immediate suspension of a Hackney Carriage Driver licence due to failing to meet the minimum standards by no longer being a licensed driver by the DVSA nor meeting the minimum health requirements of the Licensing Authority be noted; and

2.   That the action taken by the Community of Practice Lead for Environmental Health in determining to suspend the Hackney Carriage Driver Licence be noted.