Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Hinder, Naghi, Mrs Parvin and Parvin.

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.

Councillor Harper indicated that he was attending the meeting as an observer.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Joy be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor B Mortimer be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

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

The Minutes of the Meeting Held on 30 January 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed.

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

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.

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.

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.

6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.