MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Licensing Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2012
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Present: |
Councillor Parvin (Chairman), and Councillors Barned, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Gooch, Mrs Grigg, Mrs Hinder, Mrs Joy, B Mortimer, Naghi and Mrs Parvin |
1. Apologies for Absence
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Yates.
2. Notification of Substitute Members
There were no Substitute Members.
3. Notification of Visiting Members
There were no Visiting Members.
4. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
5. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
6. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the Part II Item on the Agenda be taken in public but the information contained therein remain private.
7. Minutes
That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 October 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed.
8. Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Issues (if any)
There were no issues to be discussed.
9. Street Trading Consent – Mr I Young
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding a variation to the consent granted on 30 July 2012. The variation being sought was to change the dimensions of the stall from 4’x4’ to 4’x6’ and to change the days and hours of operation by adding Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
The Head of Democratic Services confirmed to Members that no objections had been received in relation to the variation application and that the reason for the increase in the size of the cart was so that an extractor fan could be incorporated which would reduce the impact of any smell arising on the surrounding area.
Members raised some concerns with regard to the length of trading hours requested and felt it would be more appropriate for the hours to match the opening times of the majority of nearby shops.
RESOLVED:
1. That the variation in respect of the stall size be agreed to allow for inclusion of an extractor fan which would reduce the impact of any smell arising on the surrounding area.
2. That the variation in respect of Sunday trading be amended to six hours to match the opening times of the majority of nearby shops to the trading site and that the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to set the times in the final consent, as this was considered appropriate to fit into the area of trading.
10. Review of Licensing Fees and Charges
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding the level of fees to be charged in respect of discretionary licence fees relating to animal boarding, performing animals, dangerous wild animals, zoos, breeding of dogs, pet shops, horse riding establishments, street trading and sexual establishment venues, together with the fee levels for licensing for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles.
RESOLVED: That no change to the current fees and charges, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Democratic Services, be approved.
11. Hackney Carriage Fares Increase
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding a request received from the Maidstone Taxi Proprietors’ Association for an increase in fares, by means of a 10% decrease in the meterage on the meter which will lead to an increase in fares of 6.7% on all 3 tariffs for customers travelling a 2 mile journey.
Some Members raised concern regarding the amount of the increase and felt this was too high.
RESOLVED:
1. That the table of fares set out in Appendix B to the report of the Head of Democratic Services be agreed.
2. That the Head of Democratic Services be given delegated authority to give public notice of the Council’s intention to fix this table of fares for hackney Carriage vehicles in accordance with Section 65(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to take effect from 10 December 2012. This notice to make the level of increase as clear as possible.
12. Minutes (Part II)
RESOLVED: That the Minutes (Part II) of the Meeting held on 16 October 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed.
13. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7.14 p.m.