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 Agenda Item 3, Frequency of Vehicle Tests, and Agenda Item 4, Horse Drawn Hackney 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 25 May 2016 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 25 May 2016.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the last meeting held on 25 May 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider proposed amendments to the testing regime, outlined in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles.

The Licensing Committee considered a proposed amendment to the testing regime for both Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles as set out in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

The Committee  considered carefully the view submitted by a Private Hire Vehicle Operator that the testing regime agreed was excessive for brand new vehicles and also considered the view of the proposal and the results of vehicle inspections in August, September and October.

In response to questions, Mrs Davies explained that vehicles were tested immediately prior to their initial licensing and so the recommendation from the mechanics was that it was unnecessary to then test during the first year of licensing. It was however considered that given the mileage often undertaken by licensed vehicles meant that from then on they should continue to be tested twice yearly.

Resolved:

To recommend to the Executive to amend the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing so that new vehicles (those less than 6 months old) are tested on their first licensing and on the first anniversary of their licensing instead of twice a year.

(Councillor G Coleman having declared a prejudicial interest left the room during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or voting.)

Following consultation, to consider the proposed Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy.

Following consultation, the Licensing Committee considered the proposed Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy.

The Licensing Committee was reminded that the draft policy had been approved for consultation at its March 2016 meeting. The consultation had taken place until the end of June 2016. No formal written representations had been received but the Landau Liaison meeting had discussed the document and had been broadly supportive subject to some minor amendments which had been incorporated into the document.

Resolved:

To recommend to the Executive the adoption of the revised Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy.

(Councillor G Coleman having declared a prejudicial interest left the room during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or voting.)

Following consultation, to consider the updated Sex Establishment Policy.

The Licensing Committee considered following consultation, the updated Sex Establishment Policy. The Committee noted that the policy had been approved for consultation at the previous Committee meeting on 25 May 2016 and one consultation response had been received. Mrs Sharon Davies, the Head of Licensing Services outlined that this representation had resulted in a number of amendments being made to the document as attached to the agenda at Appendix 5b.

Resolved:

To recommend the Executive to approve the draft revised Sex Establishment Policy.

To update the Committee on the details of licences applied for, dealt with and appealed in the period 1 January 2016 to 21 October 2016

The Licensing Committee received an update on the details of licences applied for, dealt with and appealed during the period 1 January 2016 to 21 October 2016.

Mrs S Davies, Head of Licensing Services, highlighted the forty-four new Premises Licence applications granted as no representations had been received, the three licences refused and two licences granted by the Licensing Panel, the actions of the Licensing Panel regarding the five licence reviews and the details of the one appeal pending.

Resolved:

To note the update on licences considered, dealt with and appealed.