Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Jane Bell and John Rainsbury.

Minutes of the last meeting held on 23 January 2018 attached to be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 January 2018 be signed as a correct record.

Minutes of the last meeting of the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel held on 31 January 2018 attached to be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 31 January 2018 be signed as a correct record.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Revenues Manager attached.

Further to Minute No.51 of the meeting held on 28 November 2017, the Committee was asked to consider the outcomes of the consultation exercise and the Equalities Impact Assessment. The report invited the Committee to decide if it wanted to recommend the formal adoption of

·         the Model Standards 2008 (Appendix 1);

·         the Draft Mobile Homes Fee Policy (Appendix 2); and

·         Associated documentation (Appendices 3 and 4).

It was apparent in respect of the proposed fee policy it had not been possible to exactly compare like for like when looking at other local authorities. However, where there was comparison it appeared the Council was broadly mid-range.  It was understood that fees charged by local authorities varied massively across the country.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): that

1.    with regard to the 3 current holders of site licences within the Borough,  the limited progress on voluntary adoption of the Model Standards 2008 and further correspondence was to be initiated (Section 8 of the report) was noted;

2.    with regard to future applications for a site licence, the meeting of Council on 21 March 2018 be recommended to formally adopt the Model Standards 2008 (Appendix 1 to the report) and the draft application form (Appendix 4 to the report); and

3.    with regard to both the existing holders of and future applicants for a site licence, the meeting of Council on 21 March 2018 be recommended to formally adopt the draft Mobile Homes Fee Policy (Appendix 2 to the report) and the associated methodology for determination of fees (Appendix 3 to the report).

Report of the Revenues Manager attached.

The Interim Licensing Manager presented a report that informed the Committee of the Council’s current permissive approach towards the use of CCTV in licensed vehicles. The report also provided an update on the benefits and legal implications to the Council of adopting a mandatory approach to this issue. 

Whilst the benefits of CCTV for safeguarding were known and Commissioner Ney in her review had been a strong advocate for the introduction of a mandatory approach. However, it was a very resource intensive, technical and legally complex issue.  Nationally to date, only nine licensing authorities had introduced such a policy.

The Committee was supportive in principle of the introduction of mandatory policy for the protection of both the public and the trade. However, it was mindful of the highlighted significant implications particularly if the Council pursued this alone. It was felt a Pan-Lancashire approach would not only benefit the Council but also the trade.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That further development of the mandatory use of CCTV in vehicles licensed by this Council be supported and that this be progressed on a Pan-Lancashire basis (as outlined in Section 11.3 of the report).

Report of the Revenues Manager attached.

Further to Minute No. 43 of the meeting held on17 October 2017, the Interim Licensing Manger presented an update on the latest position regarding the proposed adoption of a draft policy to ensure the safety of licensed vehicles which had been subject to modification.

This had proved to be more complex and sensitive than initially anticipated. Following further discussions with partners and the trade, the current amended draft policy included aspects that had not been included in the original consultation. It was therefore suggested that a further short consultation exercise be carried out.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): that

1.    it was agreed that a short period of consultation as set out in Section 7 of the report be carried out on the revised specification (Appendix 2 to the report); and

2.    a further update report be presented to a future meeting of the Committee, with a view to then considering whether to forward the final version of the draft specification to a future meeting of full Council for formal adoption.

Report of the Revenues Manager attached.

The Committee received an update on licensing activity which included, finalising the designated listed of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV), a meeting of the Taxi Trade Forum had been held on 1 February and would next meet in May and, the working group would meet on 22 February.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the licensing activity update be noted.

Report of the Revenues Manager attached.

The Interim Licensing Manager presented the current version of the implementation plan.  This had been regularly reported to the Committee since March 2017 with the last being at the meeting on 28 November.  It was a living document and now contained 33 actions and the progress on these was detailed in the report.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the progress being made on the Implementation Plan be noted.

Report of the Revenues Manager attached.

The Interim Licensing Manager presented the current version of the Committee’s Forward Plan which had last been considered on 28 November 2017.  The plan items were RAG rated (red, amber, green) and explanation was given to the Committee for those identified as red.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Committee’s Forward Plan be noted.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the press and public be excluded for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

Report of the Revenues Manager attached.

The Interim Licensing Manager reported on the recent decision to revoke a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence.  The decision to revoke was taken on 31 January 2018 by the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the decision be noted.