Issue - meetings

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.

Councillor Rob Moreton could not attend the meeting, but sent a written statement that was read on his behalf by the Democratic Services Officer.

Councillor Moreton raised a point (on behalf of a number of Congleton Hackney Carriage Taxi Drivers) that the increase on standard metre charges had been once within a twelve year period.  This had proven problematic for drivers who might struggle to achieve a minimum wage on short journeys from the rank and back again and some had actively avoided sitting on the rank because of this.

Councillor Moreton requested that this Committee review this as a matter of urgency and suggested a policy change to review charges annually or biannually.

Finally Councillor Moreton requested that the Licensing department schedule additional, regular licence spot checks as there was growing concern that out-of-town taxi drivers were coming into Congleton and taking trade from local drivers.

RESOLVED:

That the Licensing Team Leader prepare a written response and circulate to Councillor Moreton and this Committee.