Agenda and minutes

Mr T FitzPatrick and Mrs P Grove-Jones sent apologies.

None received.

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 10 June 2019 and of meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 5 June 2019.

Licensing Sub-Committee – 5 June 2019 (1.45 pm) – Minute 6

Councillor N Housden stated that he had asked the Licence Holder if he kept a log, which had been omitted from the Minute.

Subject to the above, the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 10 June 2019 and two meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 5 June 2019 were approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman. 

To determine any other items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

None.

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in any of the following items on the agenda.  The Code of Conduct for Members requires that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

None.

The Public Protection Manager answered Members’ questions on matters which had been discussed at the meetings of the Committee held on 10 June 2019 and Sub-Committees held on 5 June 2019.

In response to a question from the Chairman regarding the task and finish groups, the Public Protection Manager stated that she would email Members of the groups later in the week to set up dates, with a view to holding the first meeting of the new Taxi Handbook and Policy Task and Finish Group in September and the Licensing Policy Task and Finish Group in October or November.

The Chairman referred to Minute 6 of the Sub-Committee held on the afternoon of 5 June and asked if there had been a follow up visit to the operator to check if he was keeping a log.  He considered that it was important that licensed taxi operators kept logs.  He considered that a surprise visit should be carried out.

The Public Protection Manager stated that a visit had not yet been made.  She explained that a private hire operator was required by law to keep a log but a hackney carriage operator was not.

Councillor N Lloyd asked if provision had been made in the taxi handbook to encourage taxi drivers to switch to electric vehicles.

The Public Protection Manager stated that electric vehicles could be used within the remit of the current policy and it was a matter for Members to decide if they wanted to add anything further.  The policy contained a section detailing technical requirements for vehicles.  There were some difficulties in the North Norfolk area given the limited availability of charging points.

Councillor H Blathwayt stated that he had been approached by someone who had been refused access to a taxi with her assistance dog.  He understood that there were no taxi drivers in North Norfolk who were allergic to dogs and was concerned that the driver involved could have come from outside the District.  He asked if the definition of an assistance dog could be included under the policy review.

The Public Protection Manager explained that there was already a requirement to carry assistance dogs in the current policy.  People had different views as to what was meant by “assistance dog” and she would ensure that there was a clear definition.  She confirmed that there were no current exemptions but this could cover allergies, fear of dogs etc and an exemption could be requested on the driver application form.

Councillor A Yiasimi emphasised that a phobia was a serious condition.

Licensing Update Report

The Public Protection Manager presented a report which gave an update on a call for evidence by the House of Lords in respect of the gambling industry, and an update on the licensing work of the Public Protection Team for the first half of 2019.

The Public Protection Manager requested Members’ input into the consultation response to the House of Lords’ call for evidence on gambling.  As there were no comments forthcoming at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To give an oral update on task and finish groups.

Taxi Handbook and Policy

Licensing Policy

The Public Protection Manager confirmed that she would be setting up meetings of the two task and finish groups and would email Members later in the week.

Councillor J Rest stated that he was aware that drone operators could potentially require a licence in the near future.  He asked if there was an opportunity for this Authority to take responsibility for it.

The Public Protection Manager stated that she had not seen the report but it would be a matter for the Government to determine the appropriate authority for drone licensing.  She was not in a position to comment on this matter.

The Chairman outlined the procedure for commercial drone operators who already needed a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Councillor Rest stated that the new requirements related to drones operated by non-commercial users.

The Chairman stated that the Government and the CAA were considering the matter.