Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tony Hall, Maggie Hulcoop and Andrew Johnson.

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

None.

The Committee noted that Michael Pitt, Environment and Licensing Manager, circulated a note to provide an explanation on the prices quoted in the report.

None.

None.

Michael Pitt advised that reports on Licensing Sub Committee Decisions in 2019-20 and Enforcement Action completed by the Licensing Team in 2019-20 would be presented to the Committee at the first meeting of the next municipal year.

The Committee received a report on wheelchair accessibility in the licensed fleet.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Licensing Team work with the trade, as set out under proposals at paragraph 14 of the report, to support good practice in the operation of designated Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) and better promote information about their availability.

B    A further report be brought to Licensing Committee examining the merits of a formal survey of unmet need for WAVs in Harlow at a time when revised central government guidance on licensing of the Hackney carriage and private hire trades is available. 

The Committee received a report on the outcome of consultation on electronic payment of fares in licensed vehicles.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Licensing Committee recommend to Full Council that a condition be attached to Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licences to require that Hackney Carriage Vehicles be equipped with electronic payment facilities as set out in Proposals at paragraphs 54 to 61.

B     Subject to A, authority to approve the details of the condition be delegated to the Environment and Licensing Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee.

The Committee received a report on amendments to the Licensing Committee’s Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Licensing Committee recommend to Full Council that the revised Licensing Committee, Licensing Sub Committee and Regulatory Sub Committee Terms of Reference (attached as Appendix A to the report) are adopted.

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

None.

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.