Agenda and minutes

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2015 (to be laid on the table half an hour before the meeting).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 November 2015 were confirmed and signed.

To receive apologies for absence and to report any substitutions

Apologies had been received from Cllr Libby Piper.

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 no interests declared under this heading.

There were no items to report under this heading.

Background Papers

Unless specified under an individual item, there are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to the reports in Part I of these minutes.

The purpose of this report is to enable the Sub-Committee to consider comments following the consultation on the review of a number of conditions in Taxi and Private Hire Licensing policy with a view to amending them if appropriate. The current policy was originally adopted by the Council in July 2010 and was last revised on 16 July 2013, however officers are now seeking members’ agreement to further review and revise a number of conditions which they feel require updating and/or clarifying. 

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Licensing and Regulatory Committee considers the representations in Annexe 1 to this report and makes any adjustments to the policy so that the final revised version of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for Waverley can be recommended to and approved by the Council and be formally adopted in order for the new Policy to be in place by 1 March 2016.

The Committee received a report and draft policy, a copy of which is at Annexe 1, that enabled members to consider representations following the consultation on the review of a number of conditions in Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy with a view to amending them if appropriate. 

On 24 September 2015 the Committee had considered the draft policy and agreed the consultation timetable.  There had been seven written responses and two late responses, which were tabled at the meeting.  Officers also recommended a small number of non-material amendments to the policy to further clarify the wording in some areas.

Members took into account the contents of the representations made and then made proposals for minor amendments to the policy as follows:

i.          To include a Fixed Penalty Notice and Speed Awareness Course as reportable matters.

ii.         Part 3 Licences for Vehicles

            Delete the bullet point referring to the age limit.

            iii.        Annexe 6   4. Drunkenness

                        4.a. …. driving when unfit through drink or drugs.

RESOLVED  that the final revised version of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for Waverley be agreed subject to the minor amendments i.-iii. above; the Committee further

RECOMMENDS that

5.         the final revised and amended version of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for Waverley, at Annexe 1, be approved by the Council and formally adopted in order for the new Policy to be in place by 1 March 2016.

The background papers relating to the following items are as set out in the reports included in the original agenda papers.

The purpose of this report is to seek the Committee’s agreement to its draft Revenue Estimates and Fees and Charges for 2016/17 as part of the Budget process. 

This report updates the Committee on the latest position regarding the draft General Fund Budget for 2015/16.

The recommendations from the Licensing and Regulatory Committee will be reported to the Executive on 2 February 2016 and to Council on 16 February 2016. 

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee:

1.         agrees its draft Revenue Estimates for 2016/17 as shown at Annexe 1; and

2.         approves the level of fees and charges for 2016/17 in accordance with the schedule at Annexe 3 for recommendation to the Council, noting that various fees will be subject to advertisement prior to implementation.

Members received the report which sought the Committee’s agreement to its draft Revenue Estimate and Fees and Charges for 2016/17 as part of the budget process.  The report updated the Committee on the latest position regarding the draft General Fund Budget for 2016/17.

Members considered the Committees 2016/17 Estimates together with the analysis of Licensing Costs and Income for 2016/17 that showed the estimate recovery rates. 

Members noted that fees and charges were reviewed annually as part of the budget process and that those that were not statutory a comprehensive exercise had been undertaken to analyse the fees and ensure that they equated to the costs of the service provided.  Any anomalies would be presented to the Committee in due course.  Meanwhile the proposed fees and charges for the Licensing Service had been attached to the report and Members noted the amendment required for the Unit of Charge for Personal Licences which was indefinite and not 10-yearly.

RESOLVED  that the Committee

1.         agrees its draft Revenue Estimates for 2016/17; and

2.         approves the level of fees and charges for 2016/17 in accordance with the schedule at Annexe 3 for recommendation to the Council, noting that various fees will be subject to advertisement prior to implementation.

To note the Minutes of the Meeting of the Licensing (General Purposes) Sub-Committee held on 26 October 2015.

RESOLVED  that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Licensing (General Purposes) Sub-Committee held on 26 November 2015 be noted.

To note the Minutes of the Meeting of the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee  B held on 9 November 2015.

RESOLVED  that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 November 2015 be noted.