Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their obligation under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests in any matter(s) to be considered or being considered at the meeting. These are explained in the Code of Conduct on the Council’s website at Code of conduct for members – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (tmbc.gov.uk).

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

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 28 March 2023.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 28 March 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Minutes of the following meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Committee sitting as a Panel:

-        29 March 2023 in respect of a Taxi Hearing

-        12 April 2023 in respect of a Premises Licence

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Committee sitting as a Panel held on 29 March 2023 and 12 April 2023 be received and noted subject to an amendment to the minutes of the 29 March 2023 to reflect that Councillor Kemp was in present as Chair.

Members to receive a training session providing an overview of licensing.

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Licensing, Community Safety and Customer Service, introducing the work of the Licensing and Appeals Committee for the particular benefit of new Borough Councillors and of the Committee.  An overview of the Licensing Act 2003 was given and an outline of the Licensing regime provided, with particular focus on Premises Licenses and the operation of Panels/Hearings. 

The report seeks the approval of changes to the existing fee structure for Street Trading.

The report of the Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive set out the recommended changes to the existing fee structure for Street Trading.  The proposed fee levels for street trading consents were set out at 1.2.6 of the report and the Street Trading fee module, together with the street trading fees of neighbouring authorities was attached at Annex 5. 

During discussion, Members were advised that the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 provided a list of activities which were not ‘street trading’ and therefore would not require consent. 

RESOLVED:That the proposed scale of fees for licences, consents and registrations set out in 1.2 6 of the report, be adopted with immediate effect.

The report seeks approval of the draft policy for consultation.

The report of the Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive presented a review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.  The report outlined the timescale for the consultation to be undertaken between 10 July 2023 and 1 September 2023.  Particular reference was made to the proposed changes set out at paragraph 1.3 of the report and a copy of the current policy was attached at Annex 1.   The report outlined the arrangements for public consultation on the policy including meetings with trade members, which Members were welcome to attend.

RESOLVED: That the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy be approved for consultation.

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.