Meeting documents

Present:

Councillor Initials only Mitchell (in the Chair)

Councillors

In Attendance:

Mrs S Davies, Prinicipal Solicitor- Licensing Mr L Beattie, Business Services

Also Present:

Mr Cooper and Mr Lewtas, Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2008, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report on the current statement of licensing policy. It was noted that the current policy included a Cumulative Impact policy, the effect of which was to reverse the presumption of the granting of a licence within a specific area of the town centre in which high levels of crime and disorder have been proven. The policy however did contain an exception for premises that were family friendly

Mrs Davies explained that a licence application had recently been granted under the family friendly exception for a premises within the cumulative impact area. Concern had been raised by a number of parties including the police and the licensees forum as to the sustainablity of such a policy.

Resolved:

1. That the current policy be amended by the introduction of the word "predominantly" in front of family friendly in line 1 of paragraph 3.8.1 of the licensing policy.

2. To authorise officers to consult on the proposed amendments to the licensing policy and report back on comments to a future meeting of the Licensing Committee.

During consideration of the preceding item the following motion was moved, seconded, voted upon and lost;

That no amendments be made to the Statement of Licensing Policy and the policy therefore remain as approved in January 2007 and confirmed in January 2008.

The Committee considered a report outlining a proposed amendment of Section 2.4 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Mrs Davies explained to the Committee that the proposed amendments were necessary to ensure clarity and to properly explain the rationale behind the age policy. There was a danger of legal challenge to the policy as originally drafted given it did not explain fully the reasoning behind the policy. The amendment had been consulted upon and no comments had been received

Mr Lewtas and Mr Cooper from Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association were in attendance to provide representation on behalf of their members to the Committee

Resolved:

1. To approve the amended wording of section 2.4 and to agree an implementation date of 1st September 2008 for the age policy.

2. To approve the amended frequency of testing of vehicles (paragraph 2.5.1) to take effect from 1st September 2008.

3. To approve the revised contents of the first aid kit to take effect immediately.

The Committee considered the creation of an Exceptional Quality Policy for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles.

The main Hackney Carriage and Private Hire  Vehicle policy did not specify what constitues exceptinal quality, the policy had therefore been prepared and subject to a 12 week consultation period.

Representatives of the Blackpool Licensed Taxi Owners  were in attendance and made representations to the Committee.

Resolved:

That the Exceptional Quality Policy be approved.

The meeting ended at 11.25 a.m.

Any queries regarding these Minutes, please contact:
Liz Wood, Democratic Services Assistant
Tel: (01253) 477141, or alternatively, E-mail: liz.wood@blackpool.gov.uk

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