Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous Licensing Board, held on Wednesday 11^th January, 2012, were considered. 

Resolved: -  That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Licensing Board be agreed as a correct record for signature by the Chairman,   

Alan Pogorzelec, Business Regulation Manager, Licensing Services, presented a report that detailed proposed fee increases for the 2012-13 financial year in respect to ‘private hire and hackney carriage licensing’, ‘vehicle fees’, ‘inspection fees’ and ‘miscellaneous and other fees’.

Fees were reviewed annually in relation to all licensable activities.  The Service was legally prohibited from making a profit from the application of fees and any increase must only reflect increased costs and any profits made must be re-invested in the Licensing Service.  The proposed fee increase for 2012-13 was suggested at a 3.6% increase to be applied to all relevant fees in relation to licensable activities, rounded-up to the nearest pound.  3.6% was the Government’s CPI indices of inflation, as published for the month of January, 2012.  It was noted that some fees in relation to the Rotherham Licensing Service were legally prescribed (such as CRB check costs) and would remain unaffected by this proposal. 

It was not proposed to increase the fee for the licensing and registration of sex shops within the submitted report, as new legislation was shortly expected in relation to sex entertainment venues.  The fees for the licensable activities would be reviewed following the implementation of the new legislation.   

Permission was now sought from Elected Members to enter into negotiation with recognised trade bodies in relation to this proposal. 

Discussion ensued about the proposed fee increase.

Resolved: - (1)  That the report be received and it’s contents noted. 

(2)  That the proposed fee increase of 3.6%, rounded up to the nearest pound, in relation to relevant licensable activities, be approved to progress on to consultation with recognised trade bodies.

(3)  That a further report be presented to the Licensing Board at the end of the consultation period detailing the responses received.     

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the Press and Public as being exempt under the Police Act 1997 and Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs and prevention of crime)

Resolved: -  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the Police Act 1997 and in Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs and prevention of crime). 

The Licensing Board considered reports by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to the hackney carriage / private hire drivers’ licences in respect to Messrs. M.A. and A.K..

Mr. M.A. attended the meeting and was interviewed by the Board.

Resolved: - (1)  That the licence held by Mr. M.A. be revoked. 

(2)  That the application for renewal of licence in respect of Mr. A.K. be refused.   

The Licensing Board considered reports by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to the applications for the grant of hackney carriage / private hire drivers’ licences in respect to Messrs. M.I.A., A.A.A., U.F.H., M.H., M.N., I.A.(1), D.C.P. and I.A.(2). 

Messrs. M.I.A., A.A.A., U.F.H., M.H., M.N., I.A.(1), D.C.P. and I.A.(2) attended the meeting and were interviewed by the Board. 

Resolved: - (1)  That the applications received in respect of Messrs. U.F.H. and M.H. be refused. 

(2)  That the applications in respect of Messrs. M.I.A. and A.A.A. be granted for a period of twelve-months, subject to passing the DSA Driving test and medical examination. 

(3)  That the applications in respect of Messrs. M.N., I.A.(1), D.C.P. and I.A.(2) be granted for a period of three-years, subject to passing the DSA Driving test and medical examination.