Agenda and draft minutes

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of meeting held on 4^th January 2024 and 1^st Feburary 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meetings held on 4^th January 2024 and 1^st February 2024 were signed as correct records.

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 Chief Officer for Housing and Property

The Community Health & Animal Welfare Manager presented a report which reviewed the costs and licensing fees for animal-related licensing and requested Members to approve the level of fees for 2024/25.

The Council’s Fees & Charges Policy stated that when setting charges, the general aim was to cover the cost of the service, accurately reflecting the full cost of provision including recharges.

It was reported that on 28th February 2024 Council approved the fees and charges policy and proposed inflationary uplift which had formed the basis of the 2024/25 draft revenue budget. Where appropriate, the inflationary uplift increase to consider was 10%.

The Committee was advised that after consultation with the Principal Accountant an agreed amount of 10% on each fee was being proposed.

Members considered the timeline for fee setting and suggested the setting of fees be considered by Licensing Committee in November to better fit in with the Council’s Budget Process.

Members asked a number of questions relating to the specific figures for costs and income for animal licensing and agreed to defer the item to the end of the meeting for further information to be obtained (Minute 48 refers).

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report which provided detailed budget information for the Licensing Service and set out the proposed fee levels to enable Members to consider setting fees, for a variety of different licences for 2024/25.

The Committee was advised that the setting of fees was a non-executive function and therefore a matter for the Committee to consider.

It was reported that the Council’s Fees & Charges Policy stated that when setting discretionary charges, the general aim was to cover the cost of the service, accurately reflecting the full cost of the provision including recharges. However, fees must be reasonable and proportionate.

The Committee was advised that it was a requirement of the Council’s Fees & Charges Policy that fees be reviewed annually to ensure that costs were appropriately recovered. It was not lawful however, for the Council to seek to make a profit from licence fees that fall within its discretion.

A full and detailed review of Licensing fees and charges was undertaken in 2023. Prior to this the last full review was completed in 2019; fees were frozen after this in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and to support business recovery.

It was reported that at a meeting of the Licensing Committee in March 2023, members had resolved the following in respect of Licence fees and charges (relating to taxi/private hire and miscellaneous licences only).

“That fees increase, not by the recommended amount, but by 20% (to the nearest pound) now; and to affect a further increase in the following year with a view to achieving full cost recovery in 24/25, accepting that the fee increases may again be above inflation. The reason for the two-stage increase is to smooth the impact on the trade”

The Committee was advised that the Licensing Function was currently running at a deficit of circa £80K pa over the period 2020/2021 to 2022/2023. A thorough cost exercise had been undertaken on taxi licensing and miscellaneous licensing with a view to returning to full cost recovery where possible.

The Committee was asked to consider the following options;

a. To maintain current fees and charges.

b. Increase fees by 10%, consistent with other fees and charges of the Council.

c. Increase fees by 20% as recommended by the Service accountant.

The Committee asked a number of questions relating to consultation with the trade and the budgeting figures. Members felt that more detail was needed regarding the current budgeting position before a decision on increasing the fees could be made.

It was proposed by Councillor Bradley and seconded by Councillor Bottoms;

“That the matter be deferred, to a meeting to be arranged, prior to the next scheduled meeting in June 2024”

A vote was taken and unanimously carried.

Resolved;

That the matter be deferred, to a meeting to be arranged, prior to the next scheduled meeting in June 2024.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented the annual report on private hire/hackney carriage related matters, including volume of applications, complaints, and enforcement activity.

Members asked a number of questions regarding the content of the annual report relating to complaints and warning letters and the new driver figures. Members also asked questions regarding the licensing in Wolverhampton and the Licensing Manager agreed to ask Wolverhampton City Council how many licences application they had received from residential addresses in the Lancaster district.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report which sought approval of the proposed Licensing Work Plan for 2024.

The proposed work plan was appended to the report for the Committee’s consideration.

Members asked a number of questions on the work plan in particularly regarding enforcement, and requested a briefing note on temporary licensing which the Licensing Manager advised could be provided later in the year.

The Committee thanked the Licensing Manager for a very good work programme.

Resolved:

That the Work Programme for 2024 be approved.

Further to Minute 44 the Community Health & Welfare Manager provided further information requested by the Committee.  The Committee was advised that the anticipated revenue was £8400 and the actual revenue cost was £9265 for 2023/24 which was cost neutral.

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Phil Bradley;

“That the licensing fees for animal licensing be increased by 10%”

A vote was taken and unanimously agreed.

Resolved;

“That the licensing fees for animal licensing be increased by 10%”