Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T Beard, Mrs E N Gilliland and M Hardy.

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

None.

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 three clear working days’ notice, in writing, in order for an informed answer to be given.

In accordance with Procedure Rules 11 and 35, a representative from the Taxi Trade indicated that he wished to address the Committee in relation to purchasing a Hybrid vehicle which he wanted to licence but which currently did not meet the terms and conditions of the Licensing Service in terms of the vehicles length.

RESOLVED

It was agreed that his comments would be noted and relayed to the appropriate Licensing Officer for consideration.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2010.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held on 28 January 2010, 2 February 2010 and 8 February 2010.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee meetings held on 28 January 2010, 2 February 2010 and 8 February 2010 be approved as correct records.

To consider the proposed fees and charges in relation to functions under the Gambling Act 2005 for the 2010/11 financial year and to determine the fees to be charged.

The Committee considered a report detailing information on proposed fees and charges in relation to the Gambling Act 2005 for the 2010/11 financial year.

The Officer reported an amendment to Appendix One in relation to the proposed annual fee for Betting Premises (excluding tracks) which had originally been included in the report at £615.00.  The amendment reduced this to £600.00 as this is the maximum fee which may be charged in accordance with the relevant secondary legislation.

A suggestion was made that the charges should be increased, however Legal advice was provided indicating that section 212 of the Gambling Act 2005 prescribes that fee levels should equate as nearly as possible to the costs of providing the service.

Further questions were asked by Members in relation to the spread of fees over the original three Boroughs and how the fees compared to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

RESOLVED

That the proposed fees as set out in Appendix One of the report be approved subject to the amendment as outlined above.