Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for the meeting were received from Councillors S O’Rourke, J Rogerson and R Walsh.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2024 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 seeking Committee’s views on whether Hackney Carriage fares should be varied from the level recommended by Committee on 30 January 2024, and for Committee to set a further date for the introduction of the revised table of fares.

The proposed night-time fare rates had been advertised in the local press and circulated to the local taxi trade.  Two representations had been received from Hackney Carriage drivers licence holders, both of which suggested a rate of £0.90 for each subsequent 1/5^th of a mile or part thereof between 12 midnight and 6am and between 7pm and midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed

The Chief Executive submitted a report asking Members to determine whether an annual meeting should be arranged for the Committee to meet premises licence holders, after a request was made for such by Clitheroe Pub Watch.

Discussion took place surrounding who should be invited and the scope of the meetings.  It was noted that it would be a useful forum for the Council to consider any concerns raised by members of the licensed trade regarding current issues, albeit not relating to premises specific matters.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.     Agree that an annual meeting should be held with holders of premises licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003.

2.     Agree that invitations to the meeting should be extended to the following groups:

a.     Members of the Pub Watch scheme in Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley

b.     The police

c.     The Council’s Environmental Health department

d.     The Council’s Licensing Enforcement staff

3.     Advise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services of any matter which Committee might wish to discuss at any meeting.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Committee of the outcome of consultation on:

·       Provision of Hackney Carriages which are wheelchair accessible.

·       Retention of the requirement for 8 Hackney Carriages to be licensed with a requirement for fitting of an ELAP seat.

·       Any replacement of a vehicle with an ELAP seat to be by a side entry wheelchair accessible vehicle.

·       Introduction of disability awareness training on renewal of drivers’ licence.

It was noted that 8 Hackney Carriage drivers and two Private Hire drivers responded to the consultation.  Members found it disappointing that there were no responses from representatives of groups of users.

The general consensus from the responses was that ELAP seats should not be required as they were barely used; ELAP seat vehicles should not be replaced by side wheelchair accessible Hackney vehicles and there was no desire to expand the side entry wheelchair accessible Hackney fleet.

Whilst there was a mixed reception to the introduction of disability awareness training on licence renewal, Members felt strongly that it should be introduced.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve an amendment of the policy to provide that the conditions for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers shall be extended to include a condition that:

“A driver shall undergo disability awareness training provided by the Blue Lamp Trust on application for a new licence, or on the next renewal after 1 April 2024, and shall undergo refresher training at 5 year intervals”.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed

Committee noted the information report submitted by the Chief Executive which outlined the progress of enquiries in relation to the establishment of further Hackney Carriage stands in the borough.

Minutes of Sub-Committee on 23 February 2024

Minutes of Sub-Committee on 8 March 2024

The minutes of the Sub-Committees held on 23 February and 8 March 2024 were noted.

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

There are no items under this heading.

There were no items under this heading.