Agenda and minutes

Apologies for the meeting were received from Councillors G Hibbert and L Street.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests.

There was no public participation.

Verbal Presentation

As the members had already undertaken a training course immediately prior to the Committee, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services gave a brief overview of the legislation that comes under the remit of the Licensing Committee.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed

The Chief Executive submitted a report to seek Committee’s views on the need for working groups under the remit of the Licensing Committee.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve that there was currently no need for a working group under the remit of the Licensing committee.

Report of Chief Executive enclosed

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking Committee’s approval of amendment to the Council’s Policy with regard to the National Register for Revocations, Refusals and Suspensions (NRS3) which had previously been adopted at the meeting of this Committee on 1 November 2022.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve the adoption of the amended NR3S Policy in respect of requests for information, disclosure of information and use of information, that was appended to the report.

Report of Chief Executive enclosed

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Committee of an issue which had arisen in relation to provision of medical reports for applicants for new and renewed driving licences for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, and to seek Committee’s approval for commencement of consultation on revision of the policy for Licencing of Hackney Carriage Drivers and Vehicles and of Private Hire Operators, Drivers and Vehicles (“the Policy”).

The Policy currently required that an applicant for the grant or certain renewals of a licence should be examined by their own GP or a GP from the same practice who had access to the applicant’s medical records to the standard required for a DVLA Group 2 medical assessment, who should also provide a certificate that they considered that the applicant met the medical standards to carry the public for commercial gain.  Members were informed that there had been instances where practices had refused to certify that the applicant met Group 2 medical standards, arguing that this decision rests with the licensing authority following receipt of information from the GP. Without this certificate applicants could not progress their application or renewal.

It was also reported that the fees charged by GP’s and agencies to applicants could vary considerably. 

Were the requirement for the applicant’s own GP or their practice to provide a report to be removed, this would enable applicants to approach a GP who was prepared to provide the appropriate certificate, following examination of the applicant and their full records, and would also enable applicants to seek the best value for provision of a report and any certificate.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to consult with drivers, operators, the Police and LCC (as they commission private hire drivers and vehicles for work in support of children) on amendment of the Policy and conditions to require examination of the applicant by their own GP or by any qualified GP who has had sight of their medical records.

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

The minutes of the Event Safety Advisory Group meeting from 11 May 2023 were noted.

·        Minutes from the sub-committee on 17 March 2023

·        Minutes from the sub-committtee on 14 April 2023

·        Minutes from the sub-committee on 28 April 2023

The minutes of the Sub-Committees that took place on 17 March 2023, 14 April 2023 and 28 April 2023 were noted.

None.

There were no items under this heading.