Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 15 October be confirmed and signed as a correct record

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 22 October be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

A report recommending action regarding the Council’s existing policy relating to the number of hackney carriage licences.

The Borough Council continues to be in a minority of authorities that restricts the number of hackney carriage licences it issues.  Following consideration of this matter at the meeting of this Committee held on 25 September 2014, a decision was made to issue five additional hackney carriage licences but only for vehicles meeting agreed quality control measures, i.e. wheelchair accessible vehicles.  All but one of these licences has now been issued and so the Borough Council must re-visit its current policy.

Officers recommended that a consultation exercise be undertaken to help seek views on determining any future policy on the matter.

Members were concerned that the consultation exercise should be as broadly based as possible, and the Licensing Manager confirmed he was content with that approach.

Resolved:

1.  That the Head of Legal and Democratic arrange for a consultation exercise to be undertaken in respect of the current policy of restricting hackney carriage licence numbers.

2.  That the results of the consultation form the basis of a further report on the matter to this Committee to assist the Committee in formulating the Council’s future policy on the subject.