Councillors Jim Marsh and Barbara Nathan submitted their apologies.

To confirm the minutes of the General Licensing Committee meetings held at 2.00pm and 6.00pm on Wednesday 11 July 2017 (enclosed)

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the minutes of the General Licensing Committee meetings held at 2pm and 6pm on Tuesday 11 July 2017 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

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 interests.

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 from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Report enclosed.

The Committee received a report regarding an application that had been made for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s License. The applicant attended the meeting and addressed the Committee. The Committee also received representations from the Council’s Licensing Manager.

The Committee RESOLVED (Unamimously): to grant the application. The Committee found that on the balance of probabilities the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence.

Councillor Mike Nelson joined the meeting at this point.
 

Report and appendix enclosed.

The Committee received a report that provide an update of the Implementation Plan. The Plan had been amended on a regular basis since it was last presented to Members and the latest version was attached to the report.

Real progress continues to be made against the identified targets and of the 31 actions, 14 were currently rated as green (complete), 14 as Amber (in progress), with only 3 yet to commence.

In addition it was reported at the meeting that a further action, a review of current driver/operator licences against the new approved Convictions Policy had now been completed since the agenda was published.

Two targets that related to a review of the Licensing Team would be delayed until after the outcome of the Senior Management Restructure was known.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the report be noted.

Report and appendix enclosed.

The Committee received the latest version of the Forward Plan for 2017/18. It was noted that the Plan included a number of changes including the additional workload anticipated in October 2017, when the outcome of the six consultation exercises currently underway are known.

The end of September marks the half way period through the municipal year, therefore presenting an opportunity to evaluate the work already undertaken by the Committee to date. A number of tasks had already been completed and good progress was being made.

With the team of 2.5 officers already working at full capacity the Operator Accreditation Scheme had been deferred to March 2018.

Members were also made aware that Licensing Fees and Charges would be kept separate to all other fees and charges that were being reviewed as part of the budget setting process for 2018/19.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the report be noted.

Report and appendix enclosed.

Members considered a report setting out performance data relating to the work of the Licensing Section. In response to comments made at the previous meeting the team had improved its presentation and Members were pleased with the results and thanked officers on the improvements. Diagrams provided context in the form of trend analysis and month by month comparisons, explanations of abbreviations were provided and examples given of premises visited.

In response to Members concerns that no test purchasing seemed to have taken place over the last three months, it was explained that this was most likely the result of a breakdown in communication between the County Council whose responsibility it was and the Licensing team. Every effort would be made to improve on this reporting.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the report be noted.

Report and appendices enclosed.

The Committee received a report that updated Members on a range of recent Licensing activity that had taken place by the team that included a meeting of the Taxi Trade Forum and a number of consultations.

The Committee discussed lessons learnt from the Taxi Trade Forum that included better promotion of the event, a change of layout for future meetings and information as to the extensive measures taken by officers to ensure that they received as much trade and public feedback as possible on the consultation documentation.

Members also noted the date of the next Taxi Trade Forum on 26 October 2017.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the report be noted.

Report and appendices enclosed.

The Committee received a report that update Members on a national campaign being co-ordinated by Transport for London with a view to addressing the issues arising from Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers who are licenced in one local authority being able to drive legitimately in other areas where they do not hold a licence.

The Council has recently consulted upon a proposed Intended Use Policy which will provide the authority with some control. However, as this is a national issue the suggested approach would provide Government with information to show that it is a real issue that needs addressing across the country.

The Committee all agreed to support this campaign and thought that the taxi trade of South Ribble would also welcome the initiative. Members considered it important that their involvement should be publicised across the borough.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the General Licensing Committee supports the national campaign and that the Chair of the Committee be delegated authority to sign a letter of support on behalf of the General Licensing Committee.

Report and appendices enclosed.

The Committee considered a report that proposed an amendment to the Terms of Reference as set out in the Council’s Constitution for the General Licensing Committee. It also proposed new arrangements for the introduction of a more streamlined system for hearings of the Committee with the introduction of smaller Sub-Committees.

It was proposed that future hearings would be heard by a Sub-Committee Panel consisting of five members, drawn from the membership of the General Licensing Committee and would retain its political balance.

In order to ensure consistency of approach each Sub-Committee Panel would be chaired by either the Chair of Vice-Chair of the General Licensing Committee.

The proposed new Terms of Reference were provided in Appendix 2 of the report.

The new approach would enable members attendance at hearings to be pulled together more speedily and flexibly to prevent a backlog of hearings building up, as has occurred in the past. It would also bring the hearing process into line with the majority of its neighbouring authorities and free up the General Licensing Committee to strengthen their strategic role in the development of policy.

In response to concerns raised, Members were reassured that they would all continue to play a positive role in the practical work of the Committee and that every effort would be made to ensure that appointments to the Sub-Committee’s would be spread evenly across all members. 

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Wharton, seconded by Councillor Jane Bell to move Appendix 2 of the report subject to the following amendment that the Chair of the Sub-Committee Panel be chosen by the Panel and that the power to licence sex shops and sex cinemas be given to the General Licensing Committee. The motion was lost For 3: Against 5

RESOLVED (For 5: Against 2, 1 abstention): That Appendix 2, revised Terms of Reference for the General Licensing Committee be approved.