Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no Substitute Members.

There were no Visiting Members.

There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

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

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed.

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 15^th 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

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

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

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

6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.