Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 26 November 2019

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 26 November 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The current Policy on Licensing Sex Shops, Sex Cinemas and Sexual Entertainment Venues was published in 2017 and has a life span of three years.  The report presents an updated policy for approval for consultation purposes.

The report of the Director of Central Services advised that the current Policy on Licensing Sex Shops, Sex Cinemas and Sexual Entertainment Venues was published in 2017 and had a life span of three years.  Consideration was given to the approval of an updated draft policy for consultation purposes and the possibility of extending its end date to 2025.  Details were given of the proposed consultation timetable and procedure for approval of the new policy.

RESOLVED:  That the draft policy set out at Annex A to the report be approved for consultation and be extended to run for a five year period, subject to any significant legislative changes.

The motion agreed by the Council on 9 July 2019 supported climate change mitigation and production of a revised draft Climate Change Strategy including deliverable performance indicators and an aspiration for Tonbridge and Malling to be carbon neutral by 2030.  The report details the approach by Licensing Services, primarily focusing on Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicle licences with a view to ensuring a carbon neutral licensed taxi fleet by 2030.

The report of the Director of Central Services referred to the motion agreed by the Council on 9 July 2019 supporting climate change mitigation and the production of a revised draft Climate Change Strategy including deliverable performance indicators and an aspiration for Tonbridge and Malling to be carbon neutral by 2030.  The report gave details of the approach by Licensing Services, primarily focusing on Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicle licences with a view to ensuring a carbon neutral licensed taxi fleet by 2030.

Details were given of the type of vehicles currently licensed together with a breakdown according to Euro emissions status.  A number of options for delivering a carbon neutral position by 2030 and potential impact on fee income were outlined.  Members discussed the implications of a progressive restriction on the type of vehicles licensed by emissions level over the next ten years and requested clarification of certain elements of the Euro emissions standards.  Further information was also sought on the practice of other licensing authorities in Kent and scope for collaborative work, the possibility of introducing different tiers of fares for low carbon vehicles and the ability to issue fixed penalties for idling vehicles. 

It was agreed that the report and points raised by Members form the basis for a draft consultation document to be presented at the next meeting and progressed in parallel with work on the Council’s overall Climate Change Strategy.  A list of consultees and proposed timetable would also be submitted.

RESOLVED:  That a draft consultation document on emission levels for taxi and private hire vehicles over the next ten years be presented for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.