Meeting documentation

Meeting documents

Licensing Committee
Wednesday, 24th November, 2010 6.30 pm

ItemDescriptionResolution
Declaration of interests - members are reminded that following the adoption by Council of the new Code of Conduct, any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the new code. In particular, members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'personal' or 'prejudicial'.

The Monitoring Officer would like to remind members that when they are considering whether the following items are exempt information under the relevant paragraph under part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 they must have regard to the public interest test. This means that members must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available to the public.
11 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C Meynell and V Richichi.
 
12 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interest.
 
13 MINUTES
Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 8th September, 2010
RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2010 be approved as a correct record.
14 CONSIDERATION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A CAB SAFETY RATING SCHEME
The Commercial Services Manager presented the report and referred Members to the additional supporting information that was circulated at the meeting. He reported that the percentage of licensed vehicles passing their annual inspection first time had increased and believed this was due to the introduction of a £50 fee for a re-test. Due to this he proposed that the cab safety rating scheme be suspended and the re-test charge be extended to include those vehicles found to be failing the depot standard as part of an enforcement initiative.

During discussion, a Member raised concerns that the cab safety rating scheme might deter people from driving a taxi. Another Member also believed that the £50 re-test fee was not enough of a penalty, he suggested that some form of suspension be introduced.

The Legal Advisor suggested that research could be undertaken regarding the introduction of a point system in which points were attached to defects and an accumulation of points would lead to a penalty for the driver.

A member suggested an increase in the amount charged for the re-test.
RESOLVED THAT:

a) Officers look at the options raised by Members during discussion to improve the safety of licensed vehicles and report back to the next meeting of the Committee.

b) To suspend the further development of the cab safety rating scheme.
15 REVIEW OF PRIVATE HIRE OPERATOR LICENCE CONDITIONS
The Licensing Enforcement Officer presented the report to Members.
RESOLVED THAT:

a) The revised private hire operator licence conditions be approved.

b) Authorisation to make minor amendments to the operator conditions be delegated to the Director of Services in consultation with the portfolio holder.
Published on Tuesday, 14th December, 2010
Councillor P Purver entered the meeting at 6.33pm.

The meeting closed at 7.12pm.

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor N Smith (Chairman) (In the Chair)

Councillors G Allman, C Bowley, D Everitt, P Holland, G Partner, E J Purver, P Purver and R Woodward.

Officers: Mr D Gill, Miss E McHugh, Mr L Mansfield and Mrs R Wallace.