Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 17 November , 2022 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2022 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. 

Councillor Sally Maddocks declared an interest in relation to Agenda Item 7, Existing Dual Driver’s Licence Holder, having previously worked with the complainant regarding unrelated matters in the capacity of Ward Councillor but was satisfied that she could hear the application fairly and impartially.

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 ground 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. 

It was moved by Councillor Gardiner, seconded by Councillor Greenall and unanimously agreed:

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 they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of the Licensing Officer

The Committee received the report of the Licensing Manager for the purpose of

determining a dual driver’s licence (Hackney Carriage & Private Hire) renewal application.

Details of the individual case and the Chair’s summary of the decision are set out in

Exempt Minute No. 57 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 57.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report to update the Committee on the proposal to introduce a new fare tariff in relation to licensed hackney carriages operating in the Lancaster district. Members of the Licensing Committee were required to refer their findings for decision to the next Cabinet meeting.

The Committee was advised that Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 made provision for the Council to fix the rates of fares within the district for time, distance, and all other charges in connection with the hire of a hackney carriage.  The table of fares is attached to the inside of a hackney carriage; this allows members of the public to view all charges when hiring a vehicle.  The current table of fares was appended to the agenda report for consideration by the Committee.

The Licensing Manager advised that the licensing trade favoured the implementation of Option 2 which was to apply the retail price index (RPI) across the tariff, including flag fall and rolling rate, rounding down to the nearest 5p and that this methodology had been approved by Cabinet in April 2022.  The fixed rate soiling charge of £100 would also need to be reconsidered.  This methodology would be applied to the tariff annually using the RPI from November (14%).  The Committee were also asked to consider amending the soiling charges.

An additional proposal was introduced by Councillor Hamilton-Cox to apply an increase on the flag rate of 20p - from £3.00 to £3.20 (7%); and that the rolling rate increases by 10% by reducing the increment from 176 yards to 160 yards per 20p.

After discussing all the options available it was agreed unanimously that:

“That the Committee propose an increase on the flag rate of 20p from £3.00 to £3.20 (7%); and that the rolling rate increases by 10% by reducing the increment from 176 yards to 160 yards per 20p.”

It was agreed to take the above proposal to Cabinet.

Resolved:

(1)   That a report be submitted to report the Committee’s findings and propose that Cabinet increase the flag fall by 7% and increase the rolling rate by 10% by reducing the increment from 176 yards to 160 yards per 20p.

(2)   That the Committee recommend that there be no change to the soiling charge.