Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor Suzie Akers Smith, Councillor Iain MacFarlane, Councillor Lloyd Roberts, Councillor Julie Smith and Councillor David Brown.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with paragraph 2.32 of the Committee Procedural Rules and Appendix 7 to the Rules a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.  Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

There were no public speakers.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

Licensing Act Sub-Committee

General Licensing Sub-Committee

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the following meetings be received:

17 May 2022

16 May 2022

13 May 2022

11 May 2022

11 April 2022

25 February 2022

22 February 2022

11 February 2022

(a) Licensing Act Sub-Committee

17 May 2022

16 May 2022

13 May 2022

11 May 2022

11 April 2022

25 February 2022

22 February 2022

11 February 2022

10 May 2022

30 March 2022

(b) General Licensing Sub-Committee

10 May 2022

30 March 2022

To consider the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and any revisions following consultation.

Kim Evans, Licensing Team Leader introduced the report to the Committee.

The report was to consider a draft of licensing policy, Appendix 4 gave an explanation to consultee comments and officers comments and recommendations for changes.

The Committee were advised its role was to note the draft policy and recommend for adoption to the Environment & Communities Committee who were the decision makers for the policy.

RESOLVED: That:

i.) the changes to the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy be received and noted; and

ii.) the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (incorporating the officer amendments and suggestions), be recommended to the Environment and Communities Committee for adoption.

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman agreed that this item be considered as an item of urgent business as it cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting.

To consider proposals for increases in the Table of Fares applicable in each of the Council’s Hackney Carriage Zones.

In accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to an additional item of business relating to the proposed increase to Hackney carriage table of fares on the grounds that the matter could not wait until the next meeting.

Kim Evans, Licensing Team Leader attended the meeting and introduced the report to the Committee.

The Committee ­­were advised that the fares were maximum charges and the three zones within the report aligned with the former boroughs. 

The Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions.  There was some discussion about:

·         the view of this Committee that there should be harmonisation on the three former borough areas on price, the Licensing Team Leader advised that whilst there had been discussions by former Cabinet Members, nothing had been progressed on this since the change of governance to a Committee System;

·         the increase in cost of living and concerns for residents who might depend on commuting by taxi at night for work and walking might not be a safe or viable option at night.  This should be a consideration for the Committee when fare setting;

·         the Flag Rate for taxis, the Licensing Team Leader confirmed this was a one-mile rate for Cheshire East; and

·         the potential that increasing the fees will pass the cost to passengers, the Licensing Team Leader advised that in many instances there had been no increases since 2015 which the taxi drivers have had to absorb.

RESOLVED: That:

i) the proposals for each zone be approved for publication and consultation in accordance with statutory requirements;

ii) that the Licencing Team Leader be authorised to take all necessary actions to publish the statutory public notices;

iii) In the event of any objections being received, the Head of Regulatory Services be given delegated authority to determine the final fares payable;

iv) If no objections are received, that the Table of Fares for each zone, advertised in accordance with the requirements of Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, will come into effect automatically on the date specified in the Statutory Public Notices; and

v) That delegated authority be granted to the Licensing Team Leader to propose changes to the tables of fares and to advertise those proposals in line with statutory requirements. The Licensing Team Leader will be limited to increases below or equal to the inflation rate (rounded) and minor changes to the structure of the fares. Any objections to proposals in these circumstances to be considered by the Head of Regulatory Services. Any proposals that exceed inflation rates are to remain with the Licensing Committee for consideration and determination.