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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Licensing Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19 June 2014
Present: |
Councillor Mrs Joy (Chairman), and Councillors Mrs Grigg, B Mortimer, Newton, Perry, Powell, Round, Springett and Mrs Wilson |
Also Present: |
Councillor Harper |
|
1. Apologies for Absence
It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Hinder, Naghi, Mrs Parvin and Parvin.
2. Notification of Substitute Members
It was noted that Councillor Springett was substituting for
Councillor Mrs Hinder.
It was also noted that Councillor Mrs Wilson was substituting for Councillor
Naghi.
3. Notification of Visiting Members
Councillor Harper indicated that he was attending the meeting as an observer.
4. Election of Chairman
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Joy be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15.
5. Election of Vice Chairman
RESOLVED: That Councillor B Mortimer be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15.
6. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
7. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
8. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
9. Minutes of the Meeting Held on 30 January 2014
The Minutes of the Meeting Held on 30 January 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed.
10. Appointment of Political Group Spokespersons
RESOLVED: That the following Members be
appointed as Spokespersons for their respective Political Groups for the
Municipal Year 2014/15:-
Conservative - Councillor Perry
Independent - Councillor Newton
Liberal Democrat - Councillor B Mortimer
UK Independence Party - Councillor Powell
11. Review of Taxi Rank Provision
Mr. Neil Cox was acknowledged and welcomed as a
representative of the Maidstone Hackney Carriage Trade. Members were advised
that Mr. Cox did not wish to speak in regard to the report and that Members
would be able to ask Mr. Cox any questions should the need arise.
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community
Services which gave Members an update on the progress made to date following a
consultation undertaken with the hackney carriage proprietors on the current
taxi rank provision.
It was noted that further consultations would be undertaken with both internal
departments within the Council and other external bodies. Members were
encouraged to put forward any suggestions for groups they felt should be
consulted. These consultations would be carried out during July, with the data
collated during August and a report submitted to the September meeting of this
Committee.
It was also noted that should any proposals be put forward for the changes to
taxi ranks, consent would need to be given by KCC Highways or Network Rail as
landowners and a 28 day public consultation take place on the proposals. Also
any changes to the Traffic Regulation Orders require consultation.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted and Officers should continue
to produce draft proposals for wider consultation prior to updating rank
provision.
12. Members' future training requirements
The Committee considered the Oral Report of the Head of
Housing and Community Services which outlined the proposed training for new
Members to the Committee.
Two sessions would take place for new Members and substitute Members; one which
would cover the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005 with hearings and the
second would deal with Street Trading, Sex Establishments and Taxis. The
training sessions would also be open to all Members of the Committee, including
Substitutes, should they wish to attend.
It was also proposed that there would be a refresher session prior to the
meeting on 29 January 2015 which would include any changes and information from
the Institute of Licensing Conference.
Members were also made aware of the 2014 Institute of Licensing Conference.
It was noted that one Member could attend for the whole Conference or two
Members could attend for 1 day each. One day being specifically for Members.
RESOLVED: That the oral report be noted. Members would be
consulted on who would attend and which option was preferred.
13. Urgent Update on the Amalgamation of the Licensing Committees
The Chairman requested that the Head of Housing and
Community Services gave Members an urgent update on the proposed amalgamation
of the Licensing and Licensing Act 2003 Committees as this had been part of the
recommendations from the Peer Review last year and matters needed to be
concluded at the earliest opportunity.
The Head of Housing and Community Services stated that he had hoped to present
a report to the Committee earlier in the year but events over the early part of
the new year such as the flooding incidences had resulted in a delay in
producing a report.
He advised that he intended to bring a report to a special meeting of the
Licensing Committee and Licensing Act 2003 Committee meetings in August setting
out recommendations which would be put to Council at its meeting on 17
September 2014.
Members noted that should Council be minded to approve the recommendations put
forward, then it could delegate all matters to the Licensing Committee which
would meet the following day to agree a scheme of delegation to Sub Committees
and Officers.
RESOLVED: That a Special Meeting of the Licensing Committee and
Licensing Act 2003 Committee be set up in August to consider a report by the
Head of Housing and Community Services on the creation of a single Licensing
Committee.
14. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.