Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee meeting held on 12 September as a correct record for signing by the Chair (enclosed).

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee meeting held on 12 September be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary 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 interests were received.

RESOLVED - That the meeting of the General Licensing Sub Committee’s held on the 7 and 21 November 2012 be held as correct record.

RESOLVED - That the meeting of the Licensing Act 2003 Sub Committee held on 20 September 2012 be held as a correct record.

Report of the Director of People and Places (enclosed)

The Committee received a report of the Director of People and Places that sought approval for the removal of the condition of the requirement to provide a fire extinguisher in hackney carriage and private hire vehicles.

At a meeting of the Licensing Liaison Panel meeting comments had been made that the requirement to have a fire extinguisher was contradictory to current guidance provided by the fire service. Concerns also highlighted the lack of training and understanding on their use. Officers were asked to research this issue and report their findings to this Committee.

The Council had consulted with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services about the matter and whilst they had the opinion that the carrying of a fire extinguisher was generally a good idea, there was an appreciation of the concerns from taxi operators in relation to personal safety and felt that it was a condition that should not be insisted upon.

It was proposed by Councillor Adrian Lowe, seconded by Councillor Paul Leadbetter and subsequently RESOLVED to approve the removal of the condition for the requirement to provide a fire extinguisher in hackney carriage and private hire vehicles from the conditions of application.

Report of the Director of People and Places (enclosed)

The Director of People and Places submitted a report to inform the Committee of the revised guidance pursuant to Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 issued on 31 October 2012.

The revised Guidance had been anticipated following the Live Music Act 2012 (the 2012 Act) coming in to force on 1 October 2012, along with provisions of the police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 concerning Early Morning Restriction Orders (EMRO’s)

A number of changes had been made and these were outlined in the report along with notification of an amendment to correct a sentence within the document that had been made in error.

RESOLVED – That the information within the report be noted.

The Chair wished everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year.