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; 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.

Councillor G Coleman declared a prejudicial interest in Item 4 Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and Item 5 Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy, the nature of the interest being that he held a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 27^th October 2015 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 15^th September 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider the proposed revised Statement of Policy and Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 and whether to hold consultation on this document.

The Committee considered a draft revised statement of policy principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

Mrs Davies reminded the Committee that it had previously agreed a refresh of the previous policy as an interim measure pending the publication of revised guidance from the Gambling Commission.  The guidance had since been published and significant amendments were now been proposed to the policy regarding local risk assessments, general standards expected from all gambling premises and standards for specific categories of premises. An additional change was that the local area profile would now form a separate document so that it could be updated more regularly than the policy.

Resolved:

1.      To agree the revised statement of policy and principles under the Gambling Act 2005 attached at Appendix 3a, to the agenda.

2.      To approve a twelve week period of consultation on this document from the 14^th March 2016.

Further to the consultation previously undertaken to consider the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

The Committee considered the approval of the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. Mrs Davies reminded the Committee that at its meeting on the 23^rd October 2015, the Committee had approved the draft policy for consultation which had taken place until the 31^st January 2016. The relevant consultations as attached at Appendix 4a, to the agenda were highlighted. Mrs Davies explained the key changes proposed following consultation were aligning the requirements for medicals with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency policy on group 2, confirmation that the World Host course would be adopted for all new applicants, to remove the proposal that all new and replacement 6-8 seater vehicles would require to be wheelchair accessible, to confirm a maximum vehicle age of 14 years and not to introduce a penalty points system.

Some members of the Committee expressed concern that the removal of the proposal that all 6 to 8 seater vehicles be wheelchair accessible could lead to a situation where wheelchair users lacked suitable transport. Mrs Davies confirmed that a reason why this requirement had been removed was due to it being clear that there were sufficient wheelchair accessible vehicle but recommended that the Licensing Committee should continue to review the levels of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Resolved:

1.      To note the consultation responses as attached at Appendix 4a, to the agenda.

2.      To agree the content of the proposed policy at Appendix 4b, to the agenda, and recommend its adoption to the Executive.

3.      To agree that the Licensing Committee review the level of wheelchair accessible vehicles on a periodic basis

(Councillor G Coleman having declared a prejudicial interest, left the meeting for this item and took no part in the debate and voting.)

To consider proposals from the Scrutiny review of Horse Drawn Hackney Carriages and consider whether it is necessary to review and update the Council’s Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy.

The Committee considered a proposed Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy. Mrs Davies explained that the policy was overdue for a review having been last approved in 2011. The Committee noted that the draft policy had been proposed taking into account the recommendations of the Scrutiny review of Horse Drawn Hackney Carriages

Resolved:

1.      To approve the Draft Horse Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy attached at Appendix 5a, to the agenda.

2.      To approve a twelve week period of public consultation on the draft policy starting on the 14^th March 2016.

(Councillor G Coleman having declared a prejudicial interest, left the meeting for this item and took no part in the debate and voting.)

To consider amendments to the Street Collection Regulations for Blackpool.

The Committee considered a report on a proposed updating of the regulations regarding Street Collections in Blackpool.

Mrs Davies explained that the regulations were overdue for review as they had been in place for some years. She highlighted proposed changes including that collections excluding those connected to the Illuminations could not take place on the highway, that collectors must wait for a member of the public to approach them and the replacement of the requirement to publish details of collections in a local newspaper with a requirement to publish instead on the Council’s website which was considered more reasonable given the costs of newspaper advertisements.

Mrs Davies explained the process for the approval of such regulations which required the approval of Council then confirmation by the Secretary of State and then advertisement.

Resolved:

To recommend to Council as follows:

1. To authorise the Chief Executive to forward these draft regulations to the Secretary of State for formal approval.

2. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, to undertake the necessary advertising as required under Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916.

To note the date of the next meeting as the 25^th May 2016.

The date of the next meeting was noted as the 25^th May 2016.