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 25 September 2024.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 25 September 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Minutes of the two meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Committee sitting as a Panel in respect of taxi hearings held on 25 October 2024.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing and Appeals Committee sitting as a Panel held on 25 October 2024 be received and noted.  

The report invites Members to adopt the proposed scale of fees for licences, consents and registrations as set out in Annex 1 of the report with effect from 1 April 2025.

Following a review of the existing fee structure, the report of the              Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive set out details of the proposed licensing fees and charges for 2025/26 in respect of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences and Vehicle Licences, Administration Fees, Scrap Metal Dealers, Street Trading Consents, Film Classification, Sex Establishments, Boating Licences, Events Pre-Application Advice, Hypnotism Licence, Animal Welfare, Gambling and the licensing of premises and practitioners providing Acupuncture, Electrolysis and Ear Piercing, Cosmetic Piercing, Tattooing and Semi-permanent make up.

Members noted that Type 1 licensing fees were set by statute for which the Borough Council had no power to amend and that when considering Type 2 and Type 3 fees, the Council considered the income and costs from the previous year, which meant that the fees would fluctuate year on year.

During discussion, concern was raised regarding the decline in Scrap Metal Mobile Collector licences, and whether this indicated an increase in illegal operators.  Members requested a press release advising residents that mobile scrap metal collectors were required to display a licence in their vehicle.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed scale of fees for licences, consents and registrations, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be adopted with effect from the 1 April 2025.

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.