Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors David Dickinson, Pat Haughton, Keith Iddon, Margaret Lees, Ralph Snape and Stella Walsh. 

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee held on 19th September 2007 (enclosed). 

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee held on 19 September 2007 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Sergeant Bushell (Licensing Sergeant) will deliver a short presentation on polycarbonate glasses and test purchasing. 

Sergeant Bushell, the Licensing Sergeant for the area, delivered a short presentation on polycarbonate glasses and the positive results of a local pilot.

The Committee examined the range of glasses and noted the benefits for premises where there have been glass related instances.

Sergeant Bushell outlined the way a test purchasing operation was carried out. Members raised several queries and noted the safeguards put in place to protect the children who the police used to try and purchase alcohol.

Members thanked Sergeant Bushell for his presentation.  

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Agreed.

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of Corporate Director of Governance (enclosed). 

The Committee considered the representations made by GPA in respect of his medical condition.  The Committee were concerned that there had been a failure to take medication as prescribed by his General Practitioner, however the Committee acknowledged that GPA had presented medical evidence today that he was fit to drive.  Committee also took note of the fact that GPA indicated he was now administering medication in accordance with his doctors instructions. 

The Committee resolved to lift the suspension of his drivers license and allow GPA to continue to drive on the condition that he provide evidence from his doctor indicating that GPA meets Group 2 medical standards in respect of his blood pressure and diabetes every month to the licensing section.  Furthermore the situation be reviewed after 6 months and GPA required to undertake a full medical prior to renewal of his license in 2008. 

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Governance requesting the Committee to determine whether a driver could continue to drive hackney carriage/private hire vehicles due to failing his Group 2 medical on 02 October 2007.

The driver attended the meeting to make representations and answer questions from the Committee.

RESOLVED –

1.                  The Committee considered the representations made by GPA in respect of his medical condition. 

2.                  The Committee were concerned that there had been a failure to take medication as prescribed by his General Practitioner, however the Committee acknowledged that GPA had presented medical evidence today that he was fit to drive.  Committee also took note of the fact that GPA indicated he was now administering medication in accordance with his doctors instructions.

3.                  The Committee resolved to lift the suspension of his drivers license and allow GPA to continue to drive on the condition that he provide evidence from his doctor indicating that GPA meets Group 2 medical standards in respect of his blood pressure and diabetes every month to the licensing section.  Furthermore the situation be reviewed after 6 months and GPA required to undertake a full medical prior to renewal of his license in 2008.

To receive Minutes of the Licensing Liaison Panel held on 1 October 2007 (enclosed). 

Noted.

The Committee received the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Liaison Panel held on 1 October 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted.

Report of Corporate Director of Governance (enclosed).

Agreed.

The Committee received and noted a report of the Corporate Director of Governance on the various licences and permits issued and the regulations effected by the Licensing Section for the period 1 September 2007 to 1 October 2007 under the Licensing Act 2003.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.