Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Julie Buttery.

It was noted that Councillor John Rainsbury was in attendance in substitution for Councillor Buttery.

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.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 September 2022 (attached).

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee held on 6 September 2022 be noted and agreed as a correct record.

To approve the minutes of the General Licensing Sub Committee held on 8 November 2022 (attached).

Resolved: That the minutes of the General Licensing Sub Committee held on 8 November 2022 be noted and agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

Chris Ward, Licensing Manager presented a report of the Director of Planning and Development providing feedback on the consultations carried out in response to the possibility of mandating CCTV in vehicles licensed by South Ribble Borough Council.

The report informed members that a trade consultation exercise was carried out throughout November – December 2022, the results of which were detailed at Appendix 1. All members of the trade received a physical consultation document sent to their home address. Of 252 drivers, only 12 responses were received.

The report also gave details the public consultation exercise carried out throughout November – December 2022, via the Council’s website and social media, the results of which were attached at Appendix 2.

Lancashire Constabulary also provided crime statistics in relation to offences against taxi drivers in South Ribble over the past 12 months up to 15^th December 2022. The report indicated that the crime statistics on drivers were low; of the 35 crimes committed on drivers, 18 of those were simple making off without payment, and 2 were theft.

Due to the lack of responses from the trade to the initial consultation, a second consultation with the trade was carried out in March 2023. This received only 8 responses and no serious issues e.g. cases of assault were reported.

As highlighted in the report, the Licensing Manager stressed that with regard to a proposal for the imposition of a condition making CCTV compulsory in vehicles, various factors should be taken into consideration, such as:

·         Proportionality and the need for an evidence base.

·         Legal Compliance, Specification and ICO recommendations.

·         Cost of implementation.

·         Incentives and trade buy in.

Members agreed that to mandate a policy on CCTV there needed to be a clear local evidence base of an overwhelming need for CCTV within the area.

It was noted that CCTV units were relatively modest in price with an average price of between £390 - £450 depending on the specification, which includes professional installation by an approved supplier.

The Committee further noted that if any mandatory policy were to be introduced, the Council may be challenged legally, this could incur legal costs of defending a Judicial Review against the policy and/or an appeal to the magistrates’ court against the imposition of a condition on a taxi vehicle licence.

The report explained that replacing tinted windows in vehicles can be a costly exercise. The Committee therefore considered a proposal for the use of CCTV to mitigate the need to replace windows that are over the allowance of tint level, to promote vehicle proprietors installing CCTV.

Members acknowledged that the tinted windows policy requirement in itself was expensive and burdensome for the industry with an average cost of £1000 to £1500 to change from factory fitted tinted windows to clear glass.

The Chair invited Mr Charles Oakes, representing the Hackney Drivers’ Association which included some South Ribble taxi drivers. Mr Oakes felt strongly that CCTV should be mandatory in taxi vehicles on the grounds of driver and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.