Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were declarations of interest made on this occasion.

The Public Protection Sub-Committee considered excluding the public and press from agenda item three as that item contained information which was exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It considered that the public interest would not be served by allowing the information to be held in open session due to the sensitive information about individuals outlined.

Resolved: That under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item three, Taxi Fares Review 2024/25 – Blackpool Taxi Association (B.T.A) Submission and Item four, Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 January 2024 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 January 2024 be approved and signed by the Chair as a true and correct record.

To consider an application by the Blackpool Taxi Association (B.T.A) for proposed changes to the Blackpool Hackney Carriage tariffs to commence in March 2024.

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented a report outlining an submission from the Blackpool Taxi Association (BTA) of proposed changes to the Blackpool Hackney Carriage Tariffs from March 2024.

Mr Bill Lewtas and Mr Dean James, Blackpool Taxi Association, attended the meeting and informed the Sub-Committee that there was a local perception that taxi coverage late at night was poor and the proposal was intended to improve coverage during this time. It was noted that while most operators were supportive of this proposal with a minor issueraised by one operator.

Mr Ratcliffe advised that this had been in relation to Tariff 2, where the view had been expressed that this tariff being used as a minimum between Christmas and New Year would have a negative impact on customers. The BTA however had stated that operators would be able to charge whatever they wished above the minimum imposed under Tariff 2 during this time and they did not foresee any negative impact on customers.

The Sub-Committee was also advised that the proposed charges, although an increase, were below the national average, representing value for money for customers. It was also hoped that by increasing fares existing drivers would be encouraged to remain hackney carriage licence holders, noting a decline in numbers during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Sharon Davies, Senior Licensing Solicitor, added that if approved the proposed changes would be subject to consultation period, which if no objections were received, would be implemented under delegated authority by the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager.

Members considered the proposal and the information provided by the BTA and raised concern that an increase in fares could make it more difficult for people to get home late at night, but recognised that the changes represented only a minor increase. It was therefore agreed that the proposal be approved.

Resolved:

1.      That a change be made to the yardage and maximum tariffs as outlined in the table attached in Appendix 3(a);

2.      That a change be made to add 40 pence to the taxi meter starting price on Tariff 3 from £3.20 to £3.60;

3.      That a change be made to add 40 pence to the taxi meter starting price on Tariff 4 from £5.20 to £5.60.

4.      That Tariff 2 be the minimum fare effective between 6.00hrs on 27 December and 18.00hrs on 31 December; and

5.      That the fare increase be advertised and if no objections are received that the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager be authorised to implement the fare increase.

To consider applicants or licence holders who have been convicted of offences or who have otherwise given reasons for concern.

(This item contains personal information regarding applicants and licence holders which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Sub-Committee considered the cases of applicants and licence holders who had been convicted of offences or who had otherwise given reason for concern.

i)                    DMB

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented the case in relation to DMB, who had failed to disclose a caution for Actual Bodily Harm (ASB) on their application form. The application form had been received in October 2023 and following Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in December 2023 an undisclosed caution for ASB had been revealed.

DMB addressed the Sub-Committee and informed members that the failure to disclose the conviction had been the result of them not being aware that conditional cautions, such as they had received should be included when advising the Council of previous convictions. They explained that the caution had been received following an altercation in defence of a friend from homophobic comments. Following the incident DMB had been arrested and received the caution and a £300 fine.

They added that they were currently employed as a fuel tender driver and held a HGV Licence. Prior to this they had served in the armed forces. DMB concluded that they recognised that they had made a mistake and apologies for the error and stated that such incidents would not occur going forward.

The Sub-Committee considered the information provided and noted the explanation provided by DMB for their failure to disclose the offence on their application form. Members agreed that in light of the circumstance s of the case that the licence be granted, but that DMB be warned that failure to disclose offences on an application form was an issue for which the Council could seek to prosecute offenders, although it was not expected that this would occur on this occasion.

Resolved: That DMB’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence be granted.

ii)                  CDH

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented the case of CDH, who had made an application for a licence in October 2023. Following a DBS check it had been revealed that CDH had failed to disclose two driving offences. The first of these offences had been a TT99 conviction, representing a disqualification from driving due to CDH acquiring more than 12 penalty points within a 3 year period. This period of disqualification had been between July 2021 and October 2022. Following this period a further CU80 conviction had been recorded, in relation to the use of a mobile phone while driving in October 2022. Mr Ratcliffe advised that as a result of this CDH had received 6 penalty points which would be live on their licence until October 2025.

CDH addressed the Committee and stated that the report provided had incorrectly shown that they had been banned for a period of 15 months, advising that this should be 6 months. They explained that the confusion regarding the dates had been caused by their moving house and them being unaware of penalty points being added to their licence which led to their disqualification. CDH added that they had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the date of next meeting as Tuesday 26 March 2024.

That the date and time of the next meeting of the Sub-Committee be noted as Tuesday, 26 March 2024 at 6.00pm.