Agenda and minutes

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To note an urgent decision made by the Chief Executive and the Leader during the emergency presented by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Licensing Manager advised Members that due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, on 30 March 2020 an urgent decision had been taken by the Chief Executive and the Leader, in line with the Council’s scheme of delegated powers.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services was authorised, until further notice, to issue vehicle licences without the compulsory taxi compliance test.  For the period in which compliance tests are practicable, the need for a compliance certificate would be replaced by a declaration by the applicant that the vehicle complied and would continue to comply with the criteria that would otherwise be verified by a compliance check.  Applicants were reminded that a false or inaccurate declaration could result in a licence being refused, revoked or suspended.

Licenses issued under this regime would be for a limited period of three months, after which they would either need to be renewed using the same procedure or be subject to a compliance test, if tests had recommenced.

Resolved:

That the Licensing Committee noted the urgent decision set out in the annex to the report which was taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader during the period of national emergency presented by the Coronavirus pandemic.

To appoint the membership of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

Resolved:

That the membership of the Licensing Sub-Committee be comprised of three members drawn from the Licensing Committee, subject to members having undergone appropriate training.  Those members will be selected in strict alphabetical order, save when it transpires that a member has an interest as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct or the member was a member for or lives within the ward within which an application premises is situated. In the event of a member selected becoming unavailable to attend a hearing, then the Head of Legal and Democratic Services will select a replacement in accordance with the above arrangements. Where possible, those members will be selected on a basis that they will not all be from the same political party or group.

To approve the Council’s Scheme of Delegations to Officers.

Resolved:

That the Scheme of Delegations to Officers, annexed to the report to Annual Council, in so far as it applies to the powers and duties of the Licensing Committee, be approved.