Agenda and draft minutes

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.

With the agreement of the Committee the Chair amended the order of the agenda to take Item 6 - Existing Dual Drivers Licence Holder (Hackney Carriage/Private Hire), first.

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

Report of the Licensing Enforcement Officer

The Committee received the report of the Licensing Officer for the purpose of determining a dual driver’s licence (Hackney Carriage and Private Hire) renewal application. Details of the individual case and the Chair’s summary of the decision are set out in Exempt Minute No.52 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 52.

The press and public were readmitted to the meeting at this point.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report which requested the Committee to consider responses to the public consultation for proposed licence fees for the coming year and set such fees with or without modification.

It was reported that, at the meeting of the Licensing Committee on 6^th February 2025 members had considered a report in relation to licence fees for the coming financial year 2025/26. As required by legislation, the proposed fees had been subject to public consultation which ran from Thursday 13^th February to Friday 14^th March 2025.

The Committee was advised that two consultation responses had been received as part of the process, both from existing licence holders, one was which was submitted via an elected member. The consultation responses were appended to the report for members consideration.

It was proposed by Councillor Gardiner, seconded by Councillor Bottoms and unanimously agreed:-

Resolved:

That the fees for Taxi, Private Hire and Miscellaneous licences 2025/26 be set as agreed at the meeting of the 6^th February 2025 to take effect on the 1^st May 2025.