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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
LICENSING COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 30 March 2017
Present: |
Councillor Joy (Chairman), and Councillors Garten, Mrs Grigg, Mrs Hinder, McLoughlin, B Mortimer, Naghi, Newton, Mrs Robertson, J Sams and Springett |
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60. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
61. Notification of Substitute Members
There were no Substitute Members.
62. Notification of Visiting Members
There were no Visiting Members.
63. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.
64. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
65. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That all items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
66. Minutes of the Meeting Held on 26 January 2017
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed.
67. Report of the Head of Housing and Community Services - Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing: Licence Fees and Charges Fees 2017/2018
The Licensing Partnership Manager presented a report on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing: Licence Fees and Charges Fees 2017/18.
The Committee was informed that the authority was required to review the fees set for the administration of the Taxis and Private Hire licensing.
In response to questions from Members, the Licensing Partnership Manager explained that:-
·
There
had been an error on the table for ‘Private Hire Driver’s Licence’, the
Existing Fee for Disclosure Barring Service search fee should be £44 for three
years, not £220.
·
That
the service must be able to pay for itself and recover all costs. It could not
make a profit and should there be a surplus at the end of the year, it must be
rolled into the following year with a view to balancing out the costs of the
service.
·
That
there would be a 28 day consultation on the proposed fees which would be sent
out by email to Hackney Carriage Proprietors, Private Hire Operators and
Drivers. A Notice would also be placed in a local paper and there would be a
link to the consultation on the Council’s website.
·
If
no objections were received then the revised fees would come into effect from
15th May 2017. However, should any be received then a report would
come back to Committee.
RESOLVED:
1.
That
the proposed fees and charges and associated costs for licences in respect of
hackney carriage drivers and vehicles and private hire drivers, vehicles and
operators, as set out in paragraph 2.9 of the report of the Head of Housing and
Community Services be approved for formal consultation with the trade and with
the public; and
2.
That
subject to the consideration of any written objections being received by this
Committee these be implemented with effect from 15 May 2017.
Voting: For: 10 Against: 1 Abstentions: 0
68. Report of the Head of Housing and Community Services - Sexual Entertainment Venues - Licence Fees 2016/2017
The Licensing Partnership Manager presented a report on the Licence Fees for Sexual Entertainment Venues for 2016/17.
RESOLVED: That the Licensing Committee approve the fee levels as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services for implementation on 1 April 2017.
Voting: For: 10 Against: 0 Abstentions: 1
69. Report of the Head of Housing and Community Services - Gambling Fees 2017 - 18
The Licensing Partnership Manager presented a report on the 2017/18 licence fees for the Gambling Act 2005.
RESOLVED: That the Licensing Committee approve fee levels as set out in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services for implementation on 1 April 2017.
Voting: For: 11 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
70. Report of the Head of Housing and Community Services - Animal Establishment fees 2017 - 18
The Licensing Partnership Manager presented a report on the Animal Establishment Fees 2017/2018.
In response to questions by Members, the Licensing Partnership Manager explained that:-
·
When renewal applications were made the Environmental Enforcement
Team would carry out an inspection of the premises. The renewal licence would
only be issued subject to the Licensing team having received a satisfactory
report from the Officer.
·
Riding Establishments – (how do we determine if it is a riding establishment?)
- complaints or information received would be investigated by the Environmental
Enforcement Officer. However, existing premises would still be subject to an
annual inspection by the Officer and Veterinary Surgeon when an application for
a renewal licence was received.
·
Dog breeding – (how can we identify where commercial breeding is
taking place) - this was difficult to determine. However, the breeding of
bitches was controlled by legislation.
RESOLVED: That the Licensing Committee approves the fee levels as set out in paragraph 2.6 of the report for implementation on 1 April 2017.
Voting: For: 11 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
71. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.