Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Magda Cullens, David Dickinson, and Marie Gray.

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.

There were no declarations of interest on any item.

Presentation by Gary Jarvis, from Extron Ltd.

Mr Gary Jarvis from Extron Ltd did not attend the Committee to give his presentation on taxi CCTV and subsequently the item was withdrawn from the agenda.

Demonstration by Cab Protector.

Mr Alan Johnson from Cabprotector gave a presentation on a new product of the same name.  The Committee was advised that Cabprotector is a removable protective screen that is fixed to the taxi driver’s seat the aim of which is to minimise the risk of assault/robberies to taxi drivers.  The product is being retailed at £145 and would be purchased by individual drivers at no cost to the Council.

Mr Johnson attended the Committee to demonstrate the product and to seek permission from the Committee to approach taxi operators in the borough with the view to selling this product to taxi drivers.

After a short discussion it was RESOLVED: - the Committee had no objection to Mr Johnson meeting with taxi operators in the borough.  However, it was stipulated that the Council would not endorse the product and the purchase of it would be solely down to drivers’ individual choice.

For Members to note the resignation of Councillor E Smith as Vice Chair and seek a replacement.

The Chair introduced this item by advising the Committee that Councillor Edward Smith had decided to relinquish his role as Vice Chair of the Committee.  The Chair continued by thanking him for all his hard work in that role, and wished him well for the future. 

The Committee was then asked to put forward nominations for the position of Vice Chair.  Councillor Walker nominated Councillor Haughton, and Councillor Smith seconded the nomination.

RESOLVED: - The Committee unanimously agreed to appoint Councillor Pat Haughton as Vice Chair of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of meeting of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee held on 11 March 2009.

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee held on 11 March 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee on the following dates:

The minutes of the General Licensing Sub-Committees for 4 March 2009, 1 April 2009 and 29 May 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members to note the minutes of the last Licensing Liaison Panel.

The minutes of the last meeting of the Licensing Liaison Panel were noted.

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Corporate Director (Neighbourhoods).

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director of Neighbourhood which advised Members of a consultation currently taking place by the Department of Transport concerning revised guidance to local authorities on taxi and private hire vehicles. 

Previous guidance had been well received and utilised by local authorities.  The Licensing Enforcement Officer explained that this review provides the Council an opportunity to influence future guidance that is issued.  The draft guidance posed twenty-four questions and the Committee were asked to consider the proposed response from the Council.

The Committee had a short discussion.

RESOLUTION: -  The Committee approved the proposed responses.  

To received and note the enclosed report from the Corporate Director (Neighbourhoods).

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods on the work of the Licensing Section showing the number of licences and permits issued, registrations effected and enforcement activity undertaken and complaints dealt with between 10 January – 18 May 2009.

The Licensing Manager highlighted key issues: -

• 19 suspension notices had been issued to taxis on the grounds of public safety. 
• There had been 2 joint operations during this period, which has resulted in 1 Operators Licence being revoked.
• 28 new vehicle licences had been issued since November 2008.

In addition to the report the Licensing Manager added that in the last 8 months there are 30 relatively new cars have been added to the total fleet.

In response to a question raised about the need for collection permits for charity workers packing shopping for supermarket customers, the Licensing Manager advised that as charities would be collecting money on private land they would note require a collection permit. 

RESOLVED: –  That the report be noted.