Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors M Deakin and M Hardy.

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 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 body in question.

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 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 members of the public present.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2015

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

Licensing Act Sub-Committee

12 November 2015

8 December 2015

General Licensing Sub-Committee

4 November 2015

9 November 2015

30 November 2015

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee meetings held on 12 November 2015 and 8 December 2015, and the General Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held on 4 November 2015, 9 November 2015 and 30 November 2015, be received.

To consider a report seeking approval for changes to the testing requirements of applicants for joint Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licenses

The Committee considered a report regarding proposed changes to the testing requirements for applicants for joint Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver licences.

At the Licensing Committee meeting on 16 November 2015, the Licensing Team Leader had been granted delegated authority to consult on the proposed changes to the test.  During the four week consultation, one response had been received.  This response, objecting to the changes, was circulated at the meeting for the consideration of Committee Members.

RESOLVED – That the Joint Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver knowledge test be changed as follows:

(a) 15 multiple choice questions on the Highway Code to be included, with the pass mark at 11 correct answers

(b) the fee for knowledge tests to be set at £40.00

(c) the changes to apply to all applications received on or after 1 February 2016.

To consider a report seeking approval for the review of the licensing fees and charges for the issuing and renewal of licenses, consents and permits issued by the Licensing Team

The Committee considered a report regarding a review of the licensing fees and charges for the issuing and renewal of licenses, consents and permits issued by the Licensing Team.

A number of fees were set by Statute, while others could be set by Local Authorities in order to cover the cost of administration, compliance and some elements of enforcement.  The Licensing team was in the process of undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the costs of issuing licences where it had discretion to set a fee, and consequently no changes in the Locally Set Fees were proposed.

RESOLVED – That the fees payable as set out in appendix A to the report be approved.