Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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 Member’s 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 judgement 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.

Minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 6 April 2022 of Licensing and Public Safety Committee attached to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (For: 9 Abstain: 2)

For: Councillors J Alty, R Blow, J Bell, J Buttery, D Forrest, J Mort, P Mullineaux, A Ogilvie and J Rainsbury

Abstain: Councillors Lomax, Martin (non-voting) and Wharton Hardman

That the minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 6 April 2022 of Licensing and Public Safety Committee be approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Report of the Director of Planning and Property attached.

The Licensing Manager presented a report of the Director of Planning and Development that gave an update on the annual performance of the Licensing Service. The report sought to identify the work undertaken over the last twelve months during an unprecedented period with COVID lockdowns. The Licensing Manager explained the report covered the following areas: Hackney Carriage/Private Hire/ Licensed Operators, Licensing Act 2003 (Liquor), Gambling and Scrap Metal.

The Licensing Manager outlined the report and referred to key successes of the service such as:

·       Licensing Officers worked as part of a multi operation enforcement activity in April 2022 led by South Ribble Police in partnership with the Road Safety Team, DVSA and MP Katherine Fletcher. 32 vehicles were stopped. 5 vehicles were handed fines, 2 received delayed prohibitions, 1 immediate prohibition notice, 3 delivery drivers with no business insurance, 1 vehicle with an out of date MOT and 1 taxi overloaded with people.

·       Officers and Members had liaised successfully with the trade through the Taxi Trade Forum after receiving a written request for a fare increase. Members acknowledged the difficulty drivers faced and agreed an increase to Taxi Tariffs.

·       A significant number of policies had been reviewed and implemented.

·       In March 2022 Officers conducted a joint enforcement exercise with the immigration service, visiting licenced premises in South Ribble, targeting premises following intel that the business may be employing illegal workers. During the evening, four premises were inspected resulting in the following: 1 arrest of an illegal worker, 3 licensing offences found within the premises, 1 licence holder sleeping in the business (referred to fire service) and 1 premises operating with new owners.

Members thanked Officers for a comprehensive report and congratulated the service on the work they had undertaken.

In response to a member enquiry, the Licensing Manager confirmed that a whistleblowing policy had been established within the DfT Statutory Standards, provision was in place for drivers to whistle blow without any repercussions.

Members asked for more information on how many complaints officers received from members of the public regarding licenced drivers. The Licensing Manager advised he would provide this information outside of the meeting.

Members asked if it was possible to attend enforcement operations with Officers, the Licensing Manager agreed that it was possible and asked any interested members to get in touch to arrange.

Members asked how the authority was faring with disabled vehicles, in response the Licensing Manager explained that once the cap of 100 Saloon Hackney Carriages had been met only wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) would be granted new Hackney Carriage licences. The Council has a duty under S 167 of the Equalities Act to publish a list of WAV’s and this could be found on the website. There was around 67 WAV in South Ribble, however the list includes some vehicles which are registered to an operator who solely does school contract work. The number of WAV would be monitored.

In response to a member enquiry, the Licensing Manager explained that a review of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.