Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the duration of the 2025/26 municipal year.

The Chair requested nominations for Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2025/26.

It was proposed by Councillor John Hanson and seconded by Councillor Margaret Pattison:

“That Councillor Sally Maddocks be appointed Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee.”

There being no further nominations, the Chair declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

That Councillor Sally Maddocks be appointed Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the municipal year 2025/26.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of meeting held on 13^th March 2025 and 10^th April 2025 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meetings held on 13^th March and 10^th April 2025 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.

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 items of business, on the grounds that they 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 items have 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 John Hanson, seconded by Councillor Margaret Pattison 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 items 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

With the agreement of the Committee the Chair amended the order of the agenda to take Item 11 – Decision taken in respect of a review of a Dual Drivers Licence, first.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report which notified the Committee of an urgent decision taken by the Licensing Manager in consultation with the Chair of Licensing Committee in respect of a dual driver’s licence.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Councillor Sally Maddocks was in attendance at the meeting from this point onwards.

Report of the Licensing Officer

The Committee was advised that an application had been made for an adjournment of this item due to the driver having been unable to secure legal representation for the hearing.

The Committee considered the applications and agreed, for the preservation of natural justice, that the hearing could be adjourned to the next meeting of Licensing Committee.

Resolved:

That the hearing be adjourned.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Committee received the report of the Licensing Officer for the purpose of determining action on a dual driver’s licence (Hackney Carriage and Private Hire). Details of the individual case and the Chair’s summary of the decision are set out in Exempt Minute No.8 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 8.

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

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 2.15 p.m and reconvened at 2.20 p.m.

Report of the Licencing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report on the availability of two new Hackney Carriage licences.

The Committee was advised that In April 2022, members of Licensing Committee had made available two hackney carriage vehicle licences. Members had specified that the vehicles considered for licensing must align with the Council’s aspirations around air quality and accessibility, be zero emission and wheelchair accessible.

It was reported that since implementation, no applications had been forthcoming in relation to the additional licences. Feedback suggested that the current market for wheelchair accessible/zero emission vehicles was small/expensive/non-existent.

Members were advised that the Taxi and Private Hire Liaison Group met in April 2025 to discuss accessibility and specifically how the trade and Council could work together to improve the current position. One of the suggestions at the meeting was to remove the emission standards in relation to the 2 available hackney carriage licences, additionally mandating that any replacement vehicle must also be wheelchair accessible. Thus, improving the offering in respect of wheelchair accessible vehicles locally.

The Committee was advised that one licensed private hire operator and one current licenced driver, who had attended the liaison group meeting wished to apply for the available licences. Both were in attendance at the meeting, and given the opportunity to address the Committee.

Members considered the applications, and it was proposed by Councillor Sally Maddocks and seconded by Councillor Margaret Pattison and unanimously agreed;

Resolved:

That the 2 additional hackney carriage licences be granted with the vehicle specifications amended to be wheelchair accessible only, and mandated that any future replacement vehicles on such licence must also be wheelchair accessible.

With the agreement of the Committee the Chair amended the order of the agenda to take Item 13 – Safer Morecambe Partnership next.

A presentation will be provided at the meeting.

The Committee welcomed PC Andrew Taylor, Inspector James Martin and Tim Bradbury from Morecambe BID, to the meeting.

A presentation was provided on Police Licensing and partner agencies working together around reducing the risks around alcohol sales and consumption. The Safer Morecambe Partnership was a partnership between the police, partner agencies such as Morecambe BID and the Council which was looking at trends, problems and concerns in Morecambe that needed to be addressed to make the town “Eden Ready”.

The Committee was advised that one of the big problems highlighted related to street drinking and begging and this was often linked to local off-licenses selling single cans of extra strength alcohol to these people.

The Committee thanked PC Andrew Taylor, Inspector James Martin and Tim Bradbury from Morecambe BID for their attendance and their presentation and requested that a briefing note be provided to for consideration by the Committee at a future meeting.

Resolved:

The presentation be noted.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report on the Statement of Gambling Policy 2025-2028 which sought members approval of the draft policy for public consultation.

The Committee was advised that the current policy had expired in January 2022. The draft Statement of Gambling Policy 2025-28 was appended to the report for members consideration.

It was reported that a 6 week consultation was planned between Friday 13^th June and Friday 25^th July 2025, during which time the draft would be available to view on the Council’s website and at Morecambe and Lancaster Town Halls.

The Committee considered the policy and asked a number of questions including about the limits on the number of machines and also requested that Citizens Advice Bureau be added to the list of direct consultees.

It was proposed by Councillor Sally Maddocks, seconded by Councillor John Hanson and resolved with 6 votes in favour and one abstention:

Resolved:

That the draft Statement of Gambling Policy 2025-2028 be approved for public consultation.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Chair called for nominations for two Sub-Committee Chairs in addition to the Chair and Vice-Chair.

Councillors Martin Bottoms and Margaret Pattison advised the Committee that they would like to nominate themselves as Licensing Sub-Committee Chairs.

As there were no other nominations, the Chair declared that Councillors Martin Bottoms and Margaret Pattison be appointed as Licensing Sub-Committee Chairs.

Resolved:

That Councillors Martin Bottoms and Margaret Pattison be appointed as a Sub-Committee Chairs along with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report on appointments to the Taxi and Private Hire Liaison Group.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)            That the Chair of Licensing Committee be appointed as Chair of the Taxi and Private Hire Liaison Group.

(2)            All members of the Licensing Committee are appointed to the Taxi and Private Hire Liaison Group and are invited to attend all future meetings.