Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Board held on 18^th March, 2011 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Deborah Bragg, Licensing Manager, which outlined the proposed licensing fee increases to be effective from 1st April, 2011 in relation to Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operators.

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. 

In relation to the charges for testing vehicles by Translinc, the Motoring RPI Index was used to set their charges. This was currently running at 4.7%.  However, this year they had only increased their charges by 2% acknowledging current budgetary constraints. The only fee not subject to any change was the Missed Appointment Charge. The fees had been rounded up to the nearest pound to make the administration of the system much easier.

In relation to vehicle and operator fees it was a statutory requirement that the fees were advertised in the local press, inviting objections within 28 days of the date of the notice being placed. The notice appeared in the Rotherham Advertiser on Friday, 25th February, 2011 and the date for objections to be received was Friday, 25^th March, 2011.

In addition letters were sent to all Hackney Carriage proprietors, Private Hire Operators and Private Hire Vehicle proprietors advising them of the proposed increase to fees and inviting comments. To date only one representation/comment about the proposed increase had been received.

Resolved:-  That the proposed fee structure for the vehicle and operator licensing fees be approved.

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:-

Discussion ensued on the formulation of a Rotherham policy with regards to the grant of applications in support of local charities.

Resolved:- (1)  That the application be deferred pending further information.

(2)  That a report be submitted to a future meeting on the formulation of a policy supporting collections for local charities only.

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 a report by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to the hackney carriage/private hire drivers’ licences held by Messrs. M.A.H. and M.D.K.

Mr. M.D.K. attended the meeting and was interviewed by the Board.

Resolved:-   (1)  That consideration of the licence held by Mr. M.A.H. be deferred to the next meeting.

(2)  That the licence held by Mr. M.D.K. be suspended for a period of one month and he be issued with a warning as to his future conduct.

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 Messrs. S.C.B., Y.U., M.J. and M.H.

Messrs. S.C.B., Y.U., M.J. and M.H. attended the meeting and were interviewed by the Board.

Resolved:- (1) That Messrs.  S.CB. and M.J. be granted licences for a period of three years, subject to the satisfactory completion of the Driving Standards Agency test and medical.

(2)  That the applications from Messrs. Y.U. and M.H. be refused.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to an application for the renewal of a hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence from Mr. I.A.

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

Resolved:- That the licence held by Mr.  I.A. be renewed for a period of twelve months, subject to the satisfactory return of the CRB Disclosure Certificate and DVLA Report and he be issued with a warning as to his future conduct.