Agenda for Licensing and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, 12th November, 2019, 6.00 pm
Agenda and minutes
Venue: Cross Room, Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland, PR25 1DH
Contact: Coral Astbury Email: castbury@southribble.gov.uk
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Jane Bell, Mick Higgins, Jacqui Mort and John Rainsbury. |
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Declarations of Interest 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. Minutes: None. |
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Minutes of meeting Tuesday, 10 September 2019 of Licensing and Public Safety Committee PDF 76 KB Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 10 September 2019 attached to be signed as a correct record. Minutes: RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
That the minutes of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee held on Tuesday 10 September 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair. |
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Minutes of meeting Tuesday, 10 September 2019 of General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel PDF 61 KB Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 10 September 2019 attached to be signed as a correct record. Minutes: RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
That the minutes of the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel held on Tuesday 10 September 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair. |
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Minutes of meeting Monday, 16 September 2019 of General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel PDF 67 KB Minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 16 September 2019 attached to be signed as a correct record. Minutes: RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
That the minutes of the General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel held on Monday 16 September 2019 to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.
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Proposed Policy Amendment - Modified Vehicles PDF 109 KB Report of the Interim Monitoring Officer/ Legal Services Manager attached. Additional documents:
Minutes: The committee considered a report which proposed amending the Modified Vehicle policy following a period of consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
The Head of Licensing explained to members
that the current policy requires the Individual Vehicle Approval
(IVA) testing of any modified vehicle on first presentation,
thereafter a specialised modified vehicle test should occur.
Members were advised that the IVA’s are a one off test which
are only undertaken by a Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
approved centre with the average waiting time around five or six
weeks. The Head of Licensing explained that in order to pass the
IVA, adaptions to the Wheel Chair Accessible (WAVs) were often
removed prior to testing. Members were advised that the proposal to
remove the modified vehicle test requirement would also require the
testing process to be streamlined. Under the current policy, only
Lancashire County Council (LCC) test the vehicles. Discussion had
taken place with the Council’s Moss Side Depot, who indicated
that they could do a three part test which would include Road
Worthiness, Modification and the Lifting Operations and Lifting
Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) Certificate. Members sought clarification on how testing at Moss Side would be completed and if this would require additional staff training. The Head of Licensing explained that the depot had indicated they would be prepared to invest in training and developing staff if the policy was to be amended.
RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
1.
The Licensing Service undertake a period of consultation, on the
draft amendments to the existing policy, with the relevant
stakeholders in respect of the proposed changes. 2. The Committee will receive a report on the outcome of the consultation at a future meeting.
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Taxi and Private Hire Age Policy Review PDF 109 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Head of Licensing presented a report to
the Committee which proposed amending the current age policy in
relation to Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles, taking into
consideration the impact of these vehicles on air quality.
The Head of Licensing explained that the
Hackney Carriage fleet is largely compliant with EU Emission
Standards and the current age policy had a positive effect on the
emission levels. Within the Private Hire Fleet, distinguishing the
Wheel Chair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) from other types of vehicles
would raise the compliance level. Speaking from the public, Mr Andrew Wallbank
explained that his business uses WAVS to provide the school
contract work for Lancashire County Council (LCC) and the vehicles
drive less than 200 miles per week. Mr Wallbank raised concern that
a reduction in the age policy would mean his business would lose
viability.
Overall, members were of the view that
reducing the air pollution from private hire and hackney carriages was important in
improving air quality within the Borough. However, the reduction in
age policy would need to be managed in a way which would have
little impact on the Public.
RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
1.
The Licensing Service be required to consult on amending the Age
Policy (as outlined in the report), with the maximum age of a
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle being eight years old coming into
effect 1 January 2022. For disabled transport an additional year of
transition will be added, with the age limit coming into effect 1
January 2023.
2.
Members of the Committee would be presented with a copy of the
draft consultation questions to provide any feedback or
comments. 3. The Committee will receive a report on the outcome of the consultation at a future meeting. |
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Wheelchair Accessibility Hackney Carriage Licences PDF 117 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered a report which
advised the current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) fleet
profile and the potential air quality implications relating to the
current policy. Members were asked to agree a consultation period
on amending the policy so that new Hackney Carriage Licences would
only be granted to electric WAVs with a two year fee free
period. RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
1.
The Licensing Service will undertake a consultation with relevant
stakeholders on the proposed changes to the policy. 2. The Committee will receive a report on the outcome of the consultation at a future meeting. |
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Tinted Window Policy PDF 95 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee considered a report that sought
to review the existing tinted window policy. The Head of Licensing
explained that the current policy only permits tinted windows which
have a minimum 70% light transmission. Since the policy was
introduced, the licensing authority has received complaints from
the trade that the policy was restrictive and drivers struggle to
source vehicles which meet the policy. Members were advised that
many local authorities are now choosing to reduce the percentage of
transparency in tinted windows, in favour of CCTV. Members considered the proposals within the
report and were of the view that the safety of the travelling
public was paramount and this would need to be reflected within the
Policy. Members also sought clarification on how a CCTV system
would be governed. In response, the Head of Licensing explained
that there would be conditions attached to the use of CCTV. The
Licensing Authority would require to see the CCTV certificate,
ability to turn audio on, appropriate signage and the use of two
cameras. RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
1.
The Committee agree for the Licensing Authority to undertake a
consultation process.
2.
A report detailing the outcome of the consultation will be brought
back at a future meeting.
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Private Hire Livery PDF 121 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Head of Licensing presented a report which proposed to amend the existing private hire livery, in order to create a more uniform and identifiable fleet of South Ribble Borough Council Private Hire Vehicles.
Members were advised that both Hackney
Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles were not limited to where they
could place company signage and logos. A change in policy would
make it easier for members of the public to identify a private hire
vehicle, which needs pre-booking in order to be insured.
1.
The wording on the proposed Private Hire Signage would be amended
to, “if not pre-booked – not insured.”
2.
Licensing would undertake a consultation exercise with stakeholders
on the proposed changes to private hire signs, including the
positioning of such signs. 3. A report on the outcome of the consultation will be brought back to Committee at a future meeting.
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Proposal of annual Licensing of vehicles PDF 92 KB Minutes: The Committee considered a report that proposed changing the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy, in that vehicle plates would be issued 12 monthly instead of every six.
RESOLVED: (Unanimously)
1.
Licensing would carry out a consultation exercise with stakeholders
on the proposed changes. 2. A report on the outcome of the consultation would be brought back before Committee at a future date.
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