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 26 March 2024.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 26 March 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Minutes of the three meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Committee sitting as a Panel in respect of taxi hearings held on 8 May 2024.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Committee sitting as a Panel held on 8 May 2024 be received and noted.  

The report provides details of the consultation process for the review of the Council’s current Statement of Principles for the Gambling Act 2005.

The report of the Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive asked Members to approve the draft Statement for Principles for Gambling for consultation.

The Council’s current Statement of Principles (Policy) for the Gambling Act 2005 took effect from 1 May 2022 and would run until 30 April 2025.  The proposed Policy was due for publication on 30 April 2025 and would be consulted upon for thirteen weeks from 1 October 2024 until 31 December 2024.  The draft policy for 2025-28 was attached at Annex 1 to the report and a copy of the feedback form for the Policy was attached at Annex 2. 

RESOLVED: That the draft Gambling Statement of Principles 2025-2028 be approved for consultation.

Following concerns reported by members of the public over the experiences of women while taking a taxi from Waterloo Taxi Stand in Tonbridge, Members are invited to hold a discussion regarding the safety of women when taking a taxi or private hire journey.   

Following concerns raised regarding public reports over the experiences of women whilst taking a taxi from Waterloo Taxi Stand in Tonbridge, the Licensing and Appeals Committee agreed to hold a discussion on the safety of women taking a taxi or private hire journey.  Examples of concerns reported were attached at Annex 1 to the report. 

Members were advised that when Licensing Services received a complaint or concern about a taxi driver, vehicle or journey, many complainants did not recall the taxi or private hire vehicle plate number which was the subject of the complaint.  To help in identifying the vehicle involved, it was proposed that door signs be introduced. 

During discussion, Members welcomed the introduction of door signs and suggested that the sign include a QR code which directed the user to the complaint page on the Council’s website.  Furthermore, it was suggested that reconsideration be given to the mobile App.

RESOLVED: That the introduction of door signs as shown at Annex 3 to the report, be approved.

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.