The Head of Democratic Services reported that the General Purposes Group had agreed to advise the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services to fund 2 representatives to attend the Annual Licensing Conference this year, but that the second representative should not have attended the conference previously. He further informed the committee that in accordance with the delegation by the Cabinet Member this matter was referred to the Head of Human Resources who had agreed to take the Group’s advice and agree their recommendation.

RESOLVED: That the two Chairmen meet with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and the Head of Human Resources to discuss the representation of the Council at the Institute of Licensing Annual Licensing Conference.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services as to whether they would wish to progress an amendment to the existing Street Trading Consent Scheme and subject to any consultation responses seek to resolve that a street trading scheme include prohibited streets as designated.

RESOLVED: That no further action be taken with regard to the Council’s current street trading policy, in which all streets in the Borough are designated consent streets.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services on whether the current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licence issued by Maidstone Borough Council for one year should be changed to a three year licence and whether all Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) driver licences submitted with applications should be checked against the records held at the DVLA.

Mr Conyon of the Hackney Carriage Association and Mr Parker of MAPHDO raised some concerns regarding a number of issues.

RESOLVED: That consideration of the report be deferred until the next meeting to enable further consultation with the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire representatives to take place.

6.30 p.m. to 7.31 p.m.