An apology for absence was received from Councillor Sellar.

The following substitution was noted:-

Councillor Mortimer for Councillor Sellar

Councillor Yates attended the meeting as a Visiting Member to observe, but not to speak on any item.

There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That the items on the Agenda be taken in public as proposed.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 26 August 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no hackney carriage/private hire issues in addition to those on the agenda.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Change and Scrutiny reporting that a request for a Hackney Carriage fare increase had been received from the Maidstone Taxi Proprietors’ Association.  The request was for a 20p increase in the flag drop on tariff 1.  The Hackney Carriage representative attended the meeting and was asked to put the reasons for the request to the Committee.  It was noted that the cost of running a Hackney Carriage in Maidstone was higher than other areas due to the type of vehicle specified, the cost of diesel, of maintenance and vehicle insurance has risen and that a request had not been made in the previous year.  By granting the request Hackney Carriage fares in Maidstone would remain in line with other Kent Authorities.

The Committee were concerned that the timing of the price rise was made to coincide with Christmas but were informed that fare increases could only be considered when requested by the Hackney Carriage Trade and as such the timing was as a result of that.  Members indicated that the Association representative was present to note their views.

Members requested information on which publication would carry the public notice and whether there would be sufficient time to allow 14 days before the effective date.  The Licensing Partnership Manager agreed to notify Members of this and put back the effective date if necessary.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the table of fares as set out in Appendix C to the report of the Head of Change and Scrutiny be agreed; and

2.  That the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to give public notice of the Council’s intention to fix this table of fares for Hackney Carriages vehicles in accordance with Section 65(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Change and Scrutiny on the proposed adoption of powers to licence sexual entertainment venues and presenting a draft policy in respect of the Licensing of Sex Shops, Sex Cinemas and Sexual Entertainment Venues for consultation. 

A number of necessary amendments were reported at the meeting and the Committee were asked if they were happy with the proposed delegation arrangements, whereby only a renewal of a licence with no objections received would be delegated to officers to grant.  It was noted that the new powers would allow a wider range of conditions to be applied, and that the list provided with the report was not exhaustive so additional suggestions for conditions would be welcomed.

RESOLVED:

1.  That an indication be given that the Council is minded to adopt the power to licence Sexual Entertainment Venues;

2.  That the draft Policy for Sex Establishments, including Sex Shops, Sex Cinemas and Sexual Entertainment Venues be approved for consultation purposes; and

3.  That the Head of Change and Scrutiny be given delegated powers to make minor amendments to the consultation documents and policy, including the changes outlined at the meeting, prior to consultation.

6.30pm to 7.30pm.