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.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

Councillor Hutton declared that in respect of Item 5 he was undertaking the Trinity Hospice Fun Run for which a street collection had been respected.

Councillor Mrs Taylor declared that in respect of Item 5 she was a member of the Salvation Army which had not requested a street collection.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 17^th February 2015 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th February 2015 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the whole item, including the decisions referred to at Agenda item 8 on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider an application under the Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975 for a Special Safety Certificate for a Neil Diamond concert at Blackpool Football Club on 23 July 2015.

The Sub-Committee considered an application under the Safety at Sports Ground Act 1975 for a Special Safety Certificate at Blackpool Football Club. The certificate was required for a Neil Diamond concert on 23^rd July 2015.

Mr Michael Ashworth, Head of Building Control, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application. He emphasised that the proposed certificate would allow an attendance of 19,983 which did not exceed the ingress and egress limits and was identical to last year’s Rod Stewart concert. He reminded the Sub-Committee that that event had been successful and the minor issues identified at that event would be addressed through the Safety Advisory Group meetings. He suggested that the certificate should be approved.

Resolved:

To approve the application for a Special Safety Certificate.

To consider the allocation of street collections for 2015-16.

The Sub-Committee considered the allocation of street collections for 2015-16 and the applications received both from the approved Council list and other applications

The Sub-Committee considered the submitted application forms, the report of the Head of Licensing Service and the Council’s policy on Street Collections.

Resolved:

1.      To agree that the organisations set out in Paragraph 5.5 of the report, namely the RSPCA, Royal British Legion, Trinity Hospice and Blackpool RNLI be granted a street collection permit for the 12 month period ending 31 March 2016 on the grounds that they meet the Council’s policy on Street Collections and no concerns have been raised

2.      That the applications from Royal Air Forces Association Wings Appeal, Amnesty International Lytham Branch, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Fibroduck Foundation be granted a street collection permit for the 12 month period ending 31 March 2016 on the grounds that they meet the Council’s policy on Street Collections and no concerns have been raised.

3.      That the application from Care from Wild be deferred to the next meeting to enable the organisation to submit further information on how it meets the Council’s Street Collections policy.

4.      That the application from Help for Heroes submitted by Clifford Norton be refused on the grounds that previous collections arranged by the applicant have not been in line with the Council’s Street Collections and have caused nuisance and distress to the public.

5.      To delegate to the Head of Licensing Services authority to issue further suitable applicants with permits.

6.      To authorise the grant of a permit under the street collection regulations to permit the sale to the public a brochure on the evening of the Switch On of the 2015 Illuminations.

To consider consents issued under Section 29 County of Lancashire Act 1984.

The Sub-Committee considered a proposal for the issuing of consents under Section 29 of the County of Lancashire Act 1984.

Mrs Davies explained the enforcement concerns regarding people dressed in costumes charging for photographs. She outlined the proposed permit scheme which aimed to safeguard the public, facilitate activities without causing nuisance and prevent photography without such consent.

It was noted that such activities would be forbidden on Bank Hey Street due to the nature of the street and to avoid nuisance and conflict.

Resolved:

1.      To approve the proposed standard conditions.

2.      To approve the fee of £50 per consent.

3.      To confirm that consents will last for a period of 12 months.

4.      To confirm that each individual concerned in the business of taking the photographs must possess a consent.

5.      To delegate power to the Head of Licensing Service, following consultation with the Head of Quality Standards to grant consents to suitable applicants who meet the relevant criteria.

To consider an application to licence a modified Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriage.

The Sub-Committee considered an application submitted by Christine Fozzard to licence a modified Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriage.

The Sub-Committee conducted a visual inspection of the carriage but noted a formal inspection of the carriage by the Council’s Carriage Inspector.

Ms Fozzard was in attendance and addressed the Sub-Committee.

Resolved:

That the application to licence a modified Horse-Drawn Hackney  Carriage be granted subject to the approval of the Council’s Carriage Inspector.

Note: Councillor Mrs Taylor having not been able to inspect the carriage did not take part in the discussion or voting on this matter.

To consider an application to licence a modified Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriage.

The Sub-Committee considered an application submitted by Stephen Stanley to licence a modified Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriage.

The Sub-Committee conducted a visual inspection of the carriage but noted a formal inspection of the carriage by the Council’s Carriage Inspector.

Mr Stanley was in attendance and addressed the Sub-Committee.

Resolved:

That the application to licence a modified Horse-Drawn Hackney  Carriage be granted subject to the approval of the Council’s Carriage Inspector.

Note: Councillor Mrs Taylor having not been able to inspect the carriage did not take part in the discussion or voting on this matter.

(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 two new applications for Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence who had been convicted of offences or who have otherwise given reasons for concern.

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe was in attendance to outline the application and issues for consideration.

Applicants L.A.K and G.A were in attendance and made oral representations to the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee noted that L.A.K. had previously been refused a licence in June 2010 on the grounds that the applicant had been caught behaving dishonestly in the application process. The Sub-Committee considered that by not declaring a conviction, not withstanding the minor nature of the offence, the Sub-Committee considered that this action showed a continued pattern of dishonesty which in its opinion meant that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

The Sub-Committee considered the application submitted by G.A. It carefully considered G.A’s submission as regards his personal circumstances at the time of the offence, the changes in his life since that incident and the improvement in his general wellbeing. The Sub-Committee accepted the improvement in his circumstances and his evidence that this incident would not be repeated and so concluded that the applicant should be granted a licence subject to a warning letter.

Resolved:

1.      That in the case of L.A.K given that the applicant has been caught displaying dishonesty for the second time in the application process, the application be refused as this demonstrates again that he is not a fit and proper person to hold this licence.

2.      That in the case L.A.K. the applicant not be prosecuted for the failure to disclose a conviction.

3.      That in the case of G.A. that given the circumstances of the most recent conviction and the changes in the applicant since then that he is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. However, the licence be issued with a warning letter as to future conduct warning that in the event of any future issues the licence may be suspended or revoked.

To note the date of the next meeting as Tuesday 7^th April 2015.

To note the date of the next meeting as Tuesday 7^th April 2015.