Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Board held on 12^th January, 2011 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

The Senior Licensing Officer submitted a report concerning the following application for the grant of a licence to carry out a house to house collection:-

Resolved:- That the application be approved.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the proposed licensing fee increases to be effective from 1st April, 2011.

The proposed increase in licensing fees reflected the direct costs involved in maintaining the current level of administrative and enforcement services. The increase was necessary to ensure the cost of delivering services was met within budget. The increase represented a 1% increase in fees commencing in the financial year 2011/12 except where indicated.

The fees for administering the Licensing Act, 2003 were not included as they were set by Central Government and were standard throughout the country.

In relation to Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Vehicles the testing was carried out by Translinc who had yet to advise of their charges for 2010/11. Any increases to their charges would be passed directly onto the trade.

Resolved:- (1) That the proposed fee structure for non-statutory licensing fees, as now indicated, be approved.

(2) That officers be directed to undertake the necessary consultation with the hackney carriage and private hire trade associations and place a notice in the local press outlining the proposed fee increase in relation to private hire/hackney carriage vehicles and private hire operators.

(3) That a further report be presented for consideration and determination by the Licensing Board on 16th March, 2011  following expiration of the consultation period.

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 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 Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs and prevention of crime).

The Board considered reports by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to the hackney carriage/private hire drivers’ licences held by Messrs. I.P.K., A.K., S.H. and K.F.A.M.

Messrs. I.P.K. and S.H. attended the meeting and were interviewed by the Board.

Resolved:- (1) That the licences held by Messrs. I.P.K. and S.H. be revoked.

(2)  That consideration of the licences held by Messrs. A.K. and K.F.A.M. be deferred until the next meeting.

(Councillor Wootton declared a prejudicial interest in the above matter relating to Mr. S.H. by reason of his niece attending as a character witness for Mr. S.H. and left the room during consideration of that matter. Councillor Barron assumed the Chair for that item only)

The Board considered reports by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to applications for the grant of hackney carriage/private hire drivers’ licences from Mrs. S.N. and Messrs. S.A., K.A., K.H.S., K.D.S. and M.A.

Mrs. S.N. and Messrs. S.A., K.A., K.H.S., K.D.S. and M.A. attended the meeting and were interviewed by the Board.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Mr. K.D.S. be granted a licence for a period of three years subject to the satisfactory completion of the Driving Standards Agency test and medical.

(2) That Mr. M.A. be granted a licence for a period of three years.

(3)  That Mr. K.A. be granted a licence for a period of twelve months subject to the satisfactory completion of the Driving Standards Agency test and medical.

(4) That Mr. K.H.S. be granted a licence for a period of twelve months subject to the satisfactory completion of the medical.

(5) That Mrs. S.N.’s licence be renewed for a period of three years and she be warned as to her future conduct.

(6) That Mr. S.A.’s licence be renewed for a period of three years and he be warned as to his future conduct.