Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 7^th October 2021 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 7th October 2021 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report to seek the Committee's approval (with or without modification) of the proposed Licensing work plan for 2022.

The Licensing Manager drew Members' attention to Appendix 1, which provided an overview of planned project work for the year 2022 and the changes since 2019, particularly the new Taxi Policy, the review of Hackney Carriage Policy, and the Council's registration with the Anti-Fraud Network.

The Committee was advised that the Council hoped that there would be an increase in the number of registered taxi drivers in 2022.

A Member expressed concern that the licensing of itinerant trade might lead to cases of traders moving into the district without adhering to the required standards. The Licensing Manager said she would discuss the matter with the Public Realm department.

Members requested that consideration of Taxi fares and the implementation of the Taxi Licensing Policy be given the greatest priority.

It was moved by Councillor Roger Dennison and seconded by Councillor Mel Guilding:

That the attached draft Licensing work plan for 2022 be approved by the Committee.

A vote was taken and unanimously carried.

Resolved:

That the attached draft Licensing work plan for 2022 be approved by the Committee.

The Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item: 

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Councillors are reminded that, whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the Committee to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public.  In making the decision, Councillors should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion, Councillors should also be mindful of the advice of Council officers. 

The Chair advised Members that it had been recommended to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information.

It was moved by Councillor Roger Denison and seconded by Councillor Joan Jackson:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

A vote was taken and unanimously carried.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Committee received the report of the Licensing Manager for the purpose of determining a review of an existing dual Drivers Licence.

Details of the individual case and the Chair’s summary of the decision are set out in Exempt Minute No. 30 in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Decision of the Committee:

The decision of the Committee is set out in Exempt Minute No 30.