Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tony Hall, Andrew Johnson, Lanie Shears and John Strachan.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

None.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2019 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the amendment of the final part of Recommendation A in minute 47 to read “to be adopted with effect from 8 April 2019”.

None.

None.

The Committee expressed the desire for, depending on officer workload, the Electronic Payment of Fares in Hackney Carriage Vehicles to be moved forward to the November Committee. Officers confirmed this desire would be noted.

The Committee also expressed a desire for Officers to investigate and report back to the Committee on the use of CCTV in Private Hire and Hackney Carriages. Officers confirmed a report would be brought back to the Committee.  

RESOLVED that the Work Plan was noted.

The Committee received a report on the Licensing Team Enforcement Activity for 2018/19. The Committee expressed concern about the number of vehicles suspended in 2018/19. Michael Pitt, Environment and Licensing Manager, confirmed a note would be circulated to the Committee to explain the context surrounding the suspensions.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the enforcement activity from April 2018 to March 2019 carried out by the Licensing Team.

The Committee received a report on Licensing Sub Committee decisions made in 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the content of the report was noted.

Any references arising from meetings held after the publication of this agenda will be circulated separately.

The Committee received a referral from Full Council regarding the Private Hire Operator Application Procedure. Full Council resolved for the legal implications of the decision to remove a restriction that prevented no more than two Private Hire vehicles being operated from a residential address to be fully considered.

Michael Pitt explained that the existing procedure restricted the number of vehicles being operated from a residential address and did not refer to parking at residential addresses.

Councillor Garnett wished for it to be noted that his original issues with the revised procedure remained and that he could not support the recommendation.

RESOLVED that:

A     The content of the report was noted.

B     The Licensing Committee recommends to Full Council that the revised Operator Licensing Procedures, attached as Appendix 2 to the original report, be adopted.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

None.