Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 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.

In accordance with Procedure Rules 11 and 35, Mr P Dolan and Mr D Stennett addressed the Committee in relation to Item 6: Proposed Variation to Hackney Carriage 'Table of Fares'.

Note: With the agreement of the Chairman, Mr Dolan and Mr Stennett spoke following the solicitor’s introduction of the relevant item of business.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

Licensing Act Sub-Committee

14 March 2011

17 March 2011

7 April 2011

General Licensing Sub-Committee

21 February 2011

3 March 2011

28 March 2011

11 April 2011

28 April 2011

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee meetings held on 14 March 2011, 17 March 2011 and 7 April 2011, and the General Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held on 21 February 2011, 3 March 2011, 28 March 2011, 11 April 2011 and 28 April 2011 be received.

To consider a report on the responses received in relation to proposals to vary the ‘table of fares’ applicable in each of the three hackney carriage zones.

The Committee considered a report which detailed objections received in response to proposals to vary the ‘table of fares’ applicable in each of the three hackney carriage zones.

The solicitor also reported that a petition signed by 55 licensed drivers had been received since the report was written.

The fare tables in operation within the Borough had come into force within the areas of the predecessor district councils during the course of 2008.  On 7 March 2011, the Licensing Committee had resolved to authorise the Borough Solicitor to publish a notice containing proposals to vary the fare tables in each of the three hackney carriage zones.  Objections to the proposals had been received within the consultation period and the matter had been referred to the Licensing Committee for determination.

RESOLVED

(a) That the variations to the tables of fares as set out within the notices attached at Appendices A, B and C to the report be approved, subject to the timings for Tariff 2 (night rate) at Appendix C (zone 3) being amended to read: ‘Monday to Sunday (11.30pm - 7.00 am)’.

(b) That the variations to the tariffs shall come into force with effect from 14 June 2011.

(c) That the Head of Safer and Stronger Communities be requested to submit a report in relation to the potential harmonisation of tariffs to the Licensing Committee within six months.

To consider a report on the responses received to proposals to vary the licence fees payable in connection with licences for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators

The Committee considered a report which detailed objections received in response to proposals to increase the licence fees payable in connection with licences for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators.

The fees charged by the Council for licences relating to hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, drivers and operators had been set by the Licensing Committee on 20 July 2009.  At a meeting on 7 March 2011, the Committee had resolved to authorise the Borough Solicitor to publish a notice of proposed variations to the licence fees charged in relation to licences for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, drivers and operators.  Objections to the proposals had been received within the consultation period and the matter had been referred to the Licensing Committee for determination.

RESOLVED

(a) That the variation of (i) the fees for licences relating to private hire vehicles and operators across the Borough; and (ii) the fees applicable to hackney carriage proprietors (vehicle) and joint drivers licences in each of the three hackney carriage zones, as set out within the notice attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

(b) That the variations to the fees shall come into force with effect from 27 June 2011.