Agenda and minutes

Apologies for the meeting were received from Councillors R Newmark and J Rogerson.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 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.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed.

The Chief Executive submitted a report regarding preparations for the Annual Taxi Meeting, the purpose of which is to provide an opportunity for communication between the Council and those holding licences issued by the Council. 

Members views were sought in relation to who should be invited to the meeting and potential agenda items.  Suggested items included a review of hackney carriage fares and potentially increasing the number of hackney carriage plates, with a view to subjecting them to new quality restrictions e.g. being wheelchair accessible.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Noted the proposed arrangements for the Annual Taxi Meeting

2.    Advised the Head of Legal and Democratic Services of any matters which Members might wish to be discussed at the meeting and agreed the proposed list of persons to be invited to assist the Committee at the meeting, including in particular, representatives of visually impaired groups.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed

The Chief Executive submitted a report to determine the annual fees for hackney carriage, private hire, scrap metal and sex establishment licences.  It was proposed that the fees should be increased by 4% in respect of these licences, with the exception being the cost of a replacement plate and bracket for hackney carriage/private hire licences, which would remain the same.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Agreed to set the fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licences for the year 2024/2025 as those set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.    Agreed to set the fees for Scrap Metal Dealers Licences for the year 2024/2025 as those set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.    Agreed to set the fees for Sex Establishment Licences for the year 2024/2025 as those set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

Minutes of Sub-Committee on 24 August 2023

Minutes of Sub-Committee on 22September 2023

The minutes of the two Sub-Committees held on 24 August 2023 and 22 September 2023 were noted.

There were no items under this heading.

Members undertook relevant training in relation to sitting on Licensing Sub-Committees.