Meeting documents

Licensing and Appeals Committee
Wednesday, 15th June, 2011 7.30 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Gibson Building, Kings Hill, West Malling
ItemDescriptionResolution
PART 1 - PUBLIC
LA 11/035 Declarations of interest.
There were no declarations of interest made.
LA 11/036 Minutes
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 21 March 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION
LA 11/037 Sexual Entertainment Venues
The report of the Chief Solicitor sought approval to consult local residents and businesses on whether the Council should adopt the sexual entertainments provisions contained in the Policing and Crime Act 2009.

The Chief Solicitor advised that consultation would be carried out through various forms, and took on further suggestions made by the Committee such as writing to Members on the Community Safety Advisory Board, the Parish Partnership Panel, the Tonbridge Forum, the Local Strategic Partnership and the Youth Forum. If within printing timescales 'Here and Now' would also be used as would the Council's web pages.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the proposed consultation exercise express a preferred view for the Council to adopt the sexual entertainment licensing provisions contained in Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended);

(2) the consultation process take place over a six week period, or longer if deemed more appropriate, and the results be reported to the September meeting of the Committee; and

(3) it be noted that, if adopted, a draft policy would be prepared for approval to aid transparency and promote consistency in the decision-making process.
LA 11/038 Taxis Update
The Chief Solicitor's report updated Members on the ongoing enforcement programme, the production of a 'newsletter', the use of taximeters and difficulty in enforcing a distance only tariff, and planned meetings with the taxi and private hire trade.

Members discussed the need for comparative data on price differentials of time and distance with regard to taximeters for any future fare increase considerations.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Chris Hills, the Shared Licensing Services Manager from Gravesham Borough Council.

RESOLVED: That the action taken by Licensing Services since March 2011, in not enforcing the distance only tariff be endorsed and it be acknowledged that with immediate effect the tariff be regarded as one which allows charging for time and distance.
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE
LA 11/039 Exclusion of Press and Public
No items were considered in private.
The meeting ended at 1957 hours

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr C Brown (Chairman), Cllr A W Allison (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Mrs J A Anderson, Cllr J A L Balcombe, Cllr O C Baldock, Cllr Mrs P Bates, Cllr Mrs B A Brown, Cllr Mrs F A Kemp, Cllr S M King, Cllr T J Robins, Cllr H S Rogers, Cllr A K Sullivan and Cllr D J Trice.
In attendance:
Councillor Worrall was also present pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 15.21.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs Woodger.