Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Linda Yarham  Email: linda.yarham@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

14.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Mr T Adams, Mrs P Grove-Jones and Mr N Lloyd sent apologies.

15.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Minutes:

None received.

16.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 218 KB

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 15 July 2019 and of meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 7 August, 11 September, 2 October and 27 November 2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee held on 15 July 2019 and meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 7 August, 11 September, 2 October and 27 November 2019 were approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman. 

17.

ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS

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.

Minutes:

None.

18.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

Minutes:

See minute 19.

19.

PUBLIC PROTECTION - LICENSING UPDATE pdf icon PDF 301 KB

Summary:

 

The report highlights current licensing matters and presents information to the Committee regarding review of the current taxi policy and handbook and new animal legislation due to come into force.

 

Conclusions:

 

N.A

 

Recommendations:

 

1. That Members note the Licensing updates

2. That Members note and agree additional work items.

 

Cabinet Member(s)

Councillor Nigel Lloyd – Portfolio Holder

Councillor Dr Pierre Butikofer -

Chair of the Licensing Committee 

 

Ward(s) affected - All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Lara Clare 01263 516252 lara.clare@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Tracy Howard introduced herself as the newly-appointed Public Protection & Commercial Manager.  She would be observing the meeting on this occasion but was available to answer questions. 

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer presented a report which gave an update on the draft Taxi Licensing Policy, “Lucy’s Law” banning the third party sale of puppies and kittens, and a motion from Full Council regarding the use of fireworks. 

 

Draft Taxi Licensing Policy

 

The Taxi Licensing Policy had been reviewed by the Taxi Handbook and Policy Task and Finish Group and the revised draft policy would shortly go out for public consultation with a view to adoption by the end of the year.

 

Councillor H Blathwayt asked if electric and hybrid vehicles were specifically included in the policy, and whether any electric vehicles were licensed for use as taxis.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer referred to paragraphs 3.67 to 3.69 of the report in respect of policy changes in relation to low emission and electric vehicles.  Hybrid vehicles were already included in the Council’s current policy.   The new policy would take account of all low-emission vehicles.  No fully electric vehicles were currently licensed.

 

Councillor Mrs G Perry-Warnes asked when dates for waiving the licence fee for fully electric vehicles would be inserted in the policy.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer stated that the dates were open to discussion and the proposal had been put forward by the Task and Finish Group to encourage operators to run electric vehicles.

 

Councillor N Housden asked what the position was with regard to drug testing.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer stated that drug testing had been left as it was for the time being but in the current policy a very dim view was taken of drug driving.

 

The Chairman stated that he was in contact with Liverpool City Council with regard to its policy in relation to its drugs policy.  The policy was currently out to public consultation and he would go back to Liverpool City Council to find out what was decided. He would also contact a number of other Councils on this matter.  Consideration could then be given as to whether it was appropriate to incorporate drug testing in this Council’s policy.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer referred Members to section 10 of Annex B to the draft policy which related to drugs.  She explained that any drug-related offences would be shown on a DBS report and the applicant would be subject to a hearing by the Licensing Sub-Committee.  Taxi driving was a notifiable occupation and the Licensing Authority should be informed if a licensed taxi driver had committed a drug-driving offence.  The Sub-Committee would then have the option to revoke their licence. 

 

Councillor Mrs E Spagnola asked if the Taxi Association had been contacted regarding the proposed changes.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer explained that the draft policy had not yet gone out to consultation.  The major operators had been invited to a meeting with the Task and Finish Group as a courtesy to get their initial views prior  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

UPDATE ON TASK & FINISH GROUPS

To give an oral update on task and finish groups.

Minutes:

Taxi Handbook and Policy

 

The next meeting would finalise the draft handbook and policy for public consultation.

 

The Chairman asked if it was still intended to try to arrange a meeting with the trade prior to public consultation.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer explained that the trade had been given an opportunity to comment and had declined to do so.  She suggested that the document should now proceed to public consultation.  The Committee indicated its agreement to this suggestion.