Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence and to report any substitutions

Cllr Jaquie Keen was elected as Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee for the 2023-24 Municipal year and Cllr George Murray as Vice-Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Michael Goodridge and John Ward. Cllr Michael Higgins attended virtually as he was out of the country.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2023 were noted and agreed.

To receive from members declarations of interest in relation to any items included on the agenda for this meeting, in accordance with the Waverley Code of Local Government Conduct.

There were none

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from members of the public in accordance with Procedure Rule 10. 

There were none

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from Members in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.

There were none

To receive any action taken by the Executive Director after consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman since the last meeting.

There were no actions authorised since the last meeting.

The purpose of this report is to enable the Committee to consider comments, following public consultation, on the five-year review of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028 for Waverley, against which applications for licences under the 2003 Licensing Act (the Act) are considered.

The Committee is asked to consider the comments and proposed changes on the Statement of Licensing Policy and make its recommendations for amending the Policy to the Council

Paul Hughes outlined the report set out. The Policy had been agreed by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee in February 2023, however, there had been some changes to Executive Head titles since its publication therefore the Committee were being asked to agree the changes and approve the policy.

Members discussed whether the cumulative impact of zone area is relevant.

Officers were informed that LPP2 had now been adopted and members asked for page 43 18.5 and 18.6 be amended.

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee AGREED the changes to the Statement of Licensing Policy.

On 27 February 2023 the Licensing & Regulatory Committee approved the schedule of Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Fees and Charges for 2023/24 as part of the Budget process. Update on consultation.

Paul Hughes updated the committee on the Licencing Fees consultation.  No objections had been received therefore the fees have been implemented.

Officers were asked if Waverley had a relationship with Guildford BC fees and charges? They were advised that this relationship was not in place at present as Guildford have differing policies. Waverley are unable to make profit on fees so the costs are led by the costs.

Members asked for a copy of the fees and flowchart to be circulated (attached with minutes).

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee noted the update on fees.

To note the minutes from the licensing Sub Committees held since the last meeting.

Licensing B – 27 February 2023

Licensing A – 17 April 2023

Licensing B – 24 April 2023

The minutes for the sub committees held since the last meeting were noted.

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee members all agreed to be members of Licensing and General Purpose Committee, and the three Licensing Sub groups (A, B and C)

The following memberships are proposed and subject to substitution as required and members will be dissuaded from hearing applications within their ward to allow them to make representation.

Licensing and General Purpose Committee

Cllrs Jaquie Keen, George Murray, James Staunton, Jerome Davidson, and Maxine Gale.

Licensing Sub A

Cllrs Maxine Gale, Jaquie Keen and James Staunton

Licensing Sub B

Cllrs Ruth Reed, Michael Higgins and David Munro

Licensing Sub C

Cllrs John Robini, Michael Goodridge and Jerome Davidson