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 24 January 2019

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 24 January 2019 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: 

25 January 2019

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Committee sitting as a Panel held on 25 January 2019 be received and noted.  

Report on outcome of consultation on Statement of Licensing Policy undertaken between 25 January and 1 March 2019.

Further to Minute LA 19/4, the report of the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer indicated that the Statement of Licensing Policy 2019 – 2024 had been issued for public consultation from 25 January to 1 March 2019 as a result of which no responses had been received.  A copy of the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy was annexed to the report.

RECOMMENDED:  That the draft Statement of Licensing Policy set out at Annex 1 to the report be adopted by the Council.

*Referred to Council

The report advises of proposals announced by Government to introduce new Taxi legislation which will give Licensing Authorities greater power to enforce standards against “out of Town” vehicles and drivers operating in their areas.

The report of the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer advised that the Government had announced its plans to introduce new taxi legislation giving Licensing Authorities greater power to enforce standards against “out of town” vehicles and drivers operating in their areas.  A copy of the proposed statutory guidance upon which views were being sought by 22 April was set out at Annex 1 to the report.  A presentation was given on the consultation questions and Members’ feedback on the suggested answers noted.  The final copy of the response would be submitted in liaison with the Chairman.

The Government’s response to the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group regarding the adequacy of the current taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authority powers was also shown at Annex 2 to the report.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted and the final consultation return, incorporating Members’ feedback, be submitted in liaison with the Chairman.

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.